Configuring The Amazon Linux 2023 Image For VMware

Guide: Configuring the Amazon Linux 2023 Image

Source: NoCloud (seed.iso) cloud-init configuration for Amazon Linux 2023 on KVM and VMware - Amazon Linux 2023

1. Requirements

Before you begin, make sure you have the following tools:

• OVA file for VMware: Download the latest version.
• A Linux machine (Ubuntu or any other distribution).
• VS Code for creating files without a .txt extension.

2. Importing the OVA into vSphere

1. Go to the desired OU in vSphere.
2. Right-click and select “Deploy OVF Template”.
3. Upload the OVA file downloaded in step 1.
4. Follow the installation wizard and adjust the settings as needed. Important: Do not start the VM after completing the setup!

3. Creating Configuration Files

1. Open VS Code and create two files:
   • user-data
   • meta-data
2. Paste the following content into user-data:

#cloud-config
# This file configures a user and sets up SSH settings.
users:
  - name: myusername  # Change 'myusername' to your desired username (e.g., 'root' or 'admin')
    sudo: ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD:ALL  # Grants the user sudo privileges without a password
    groups: sudo
    shell: /bin/bash
    lock_passwd: false  # Ensures the password is not locked

# Optional: Add an SSH key for key-based login (instead of a password)
# Uncomment and replace the example SSH key with your own if you want to use it.
#   ssh_authorized_keys: 
#     - ssh-rsa AAAAB3...jouw-ssh-key...rest-van-key 
# Replace 'myusername' and 'mypassword' with your desired login credentials

chpasswd:
  list: |
    myusername:mypassword
  expire: false  # Password does not expire automatically

# Enable password authentication and root login
ssh_pwauth: true  # Allow logging in with a password
disable_root: false  # Ensure root can log in

# Configure SSH settings to allow password login and root access
write_files:
  - path: /etc/ssh/sshd_config
    content: |
      Port 22  # Change this if you want to use a different SSH port
      PermitRootLogin yes  # Allow logging in as root
      PasswordAuthentication yes  # Enable password login
      ChallengeResponseAuthentication no
      UsePAM yes
    append: true  # Ensures the settings are added instead of overwritten

# Execute commands after the server is set up
runcmd:
  - systemctl restart sshd  # Restart SSH so the changes take effect immediately

1. Replace YOUR_SSH_PUBLIC_KEY_HERE with the OpenSSH key copied earlier.
2. Replace myusername and mypassword with your desired credentials.
3. Paste the following into meta-data:

local-hostname: desired-hostname

4. Creating the ISO File

1. Open your Linux machine.
2. Navigate to the directory where user-data and meta-data are stored:

   cd /path/to/your/files
   

3. Install cloud-image-utils (if not installed):

   sudo apt install cloud-image-utils
   

4. Create the ISO file:

   cloud-localds seed.iso user-data meta-data
   

5. Verify that seed.iso was created successfully.

5. Uploading the ISO to the VM

1. Edit the VM settings.
2. Add a CD/ROM drive.
3. Select the previously created seed.iso.
4. Start the VM – the configuration is now applied!

6. Troubleshooting

• Validate cloud-init configuration:

  cloud-init schema --config-file user-data
  cloud-init schema --config-file meta-data
  

• For further assistance, refer to the Amazon Linux 2023 official documentation.