How to Create a Blueprint within VMware vCloud Automation Center

1. Login to vCAC engineering tenant

2. Machine Blueprints provide all previous configurations together.

A user who is logged into vCAC, will be able to define and compute storage min and maximums on a per VM level, define build profiles, and define the VM deployment in the catalog.  

3. Go to Infrastructure/Blueprints/Blueprints

Navigate to Infrastructure in the left hand navigation, and then go to the "Blueprints" sub-tab in the left hand navigation once and then again.

4. Create a new blueprint under vSphere (vCenter)

Go to "+ New Blueprint", "Virtual", "vSphere (vCenter)".

5. Give blueprint a name.

6. Set blueprint options

You may make the Blueprint copy-able, you may display the location on request to allow the requester to deploy to a specific location, and make the blueprint available across business groups.

7. Set reservation policy, machine prefix and archive period

reservation Policy defines where the VM that comes from this Blueprint is deployed to. Archive days are the number of days past the lease time the VM will continue to be available.

8. Go to Build Information tab

The "Build Information" tab is found at the top of the Blueprint creation interface.

9. Set blueprint type, action, provisioning workflow and clone from option

10. Set machine resource, minimum and maximums.

For example, with CPU, a minimum of 2 CPUs and a maximum of 4 means a requester can select 2, 3, or 4 CPUs.

You can set mins and maxes for CPUs, Member, Storage, and Lease Time.

11. Set storage volume if required

12. Use Build Profiles on the "Properties" tab to set further specifics.

Build profiles are used for pre and post actions.

13. Use Machine Operations on the "Actions" tab to allow machine owners to perform more actions on the VMs deployed from this Blueprint.

14. Select "OK" to create the Blueprint.

14. Publish blueprint once it is saved

Once you are returned to the Blueprints list, select the arrow next to the Blueprint Name and select the "Publish" Option. Select "OK" in the confirmation interface.