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Importing custom software

You can import software into the OS images repository. These files can then be used to customize Linux and Windows images

About this task

The custom software files are installed after the operating-system deployment and post-installation scripts are complete.

The following file types are supported for custom software.
Operating systemSupported File TypesMore information
CentOS LinuxNot supported 
Microsoft® Windows® Azure Stack HCINot supported 
Microsoft Windows Hyper-V ServerNot supported 
Microsoft Windows® ServerA .zip file containing the software payload.The default custom data and files path is C:\lxca.
Red Hat® Enterprise Linux (RHEL) ServerA .tar.gz file containing the software payloadThe default custom data and files path is /home/lxca.
SUSE® Linux Enterprise Server (SLES)A .tar.gz file containing the software payloadThe default custom data and files path is /home/lxca.
Rocky LinuxA .tar.gz file containing the software payloadThe default custom data and files path is /home/lxca.
UbuntuNot supported 
VMware vSphere® Hypervisor (ESXi) with Lenovo CustomizationA .tar.gz file containing the software payloadThe default custom data and files path is /home/lxca.
Note
The OS images repository can store an unlimited number of predefined and custom files, if space is available to store the files.

Procedure

To import software into the OS-images repository, complete the following steps.

  1. From the Lenovo XClarity Administrator menu bar, click Provisioning > Manage OS Images to display the Deploy Operating System: Manage OS Images page.
  2. Click the Software tab.

    Illustrates the Manage OS Images page with a list of software packages that have been imported to the OS images repository.
  3. Click the Import File icon (Import icon). The Import Installation Script dialog is displayed.
  4. Click the Local Import tab to upload files from the local system, or click the Remote Import tab to upload files from a remote file server.
    Note
    To upload a file from a remote file server, you must first create a remote file-server profile by clicking the Configure File Server icon (Configure remote file server icon). For more information, see Configuring a remote file server.
  5. If you chose to use a remote file server, select the server that you want to use from the Remote File Server list.
  6. Select the operating-system type.
  7. Enter the file name of the software file, or click Browse to find the file that you want to import.
  8. Optional: Enter a description of the software file.
    Tip
    Use the Description field to distinguish between custom files with the same name.
  9. Optional: Select a checksum type to verify that the file being uploaded is not corrupt, and copy and paste the checksum value in the provided text field.

    If you select a checksum type, you must specify a checksum value to check the integrity and security of the uploaded file. The value must come from a secure source from an organization that you trust. If the uploaded file matches with the checksum value, it is safe to proceed with deployment. Otherwise, you must upload the file again or check the checksum value.

    Three checksum types are supported:

    • MD5

    • SHA1

    • SHA256

  10. Click Import.
    Tip
    The file is uploaded over a secure network connection. Therefore, network reliability and performance affects how long it takes to import the file.

    If you close the web browser tab or window in which the file is being uploaded locally before the upload completes, the import fails.

After you finish

The installation scripts are listed on the Software tab on the Manage OS Images page.

From this page, you can perform the following actions.

  • Create a remote-file-server profile by clicking the Configure File Server icon (Configure remote file server icon).

  • Remove selected software files by clicking the Delete icon (Delete icon).

For information about adding a software file to a customized OS image profile, see Creating a custom OS-image profile.