I’m new to 5.1 and I’m chugging along, getting my new cluster up and running. Deploying a template was a walk in the park in 4.1. This is where you find out you don’t know what you don’t know.

Problem

When I power on the VMA template I get this error:

 

VM Power-On Error

This is caused by not having created an IP Pool for your vAPPS. What is an IP Pool you say?  Here is an explanation from the vSphere 5.1 online documentation:

IP pools provide a network identity to vApps. An IP pool is a network configuration that is assigned to a network used by a vApp. The vApp can then leverage vCenter Server to automatically provide an IP configuration to its virtual machines.

Solution

You’ll have to configure an IP Pool in order to get your template powered on. Click on the Datacenter in vSphere client. There is a new tab called IP Pools, click on it to configure a pool.

IP Pool Tab

Click Add. The New IP Pools Properties box appears.  Give the pool a name. Depending on which version of IP you’re using, click on the corresponding tab.

New IP Pool Properties

Enter the subnet and gateway information as it pertains to your environment. I did not check Enable IP pool and you may or may not have to depending on your environment. Click on the DNS tab and configure DNS as needed. Go through the other tabs and configure them as they apply. Since I’m only using IPv4 without DHCP, it requires limited config. Click OK when you’re finish.

ippool-finish

You should now be able to power on your VMA template.

Similar information can be found here: