On some versions of the ESXi Embedded Host Client, the imported VM’s settings cannot be edited due to a bug in ESXi. It has been reported to VMWare, but in the interim we’ve got a workaround.

Follow steps 1–10 here. to upload all the files to the ESXi server.

Once the ESXi files have been uploaded follow the below steps to create a new VM.

Step 1: Create/Register Virtual Canary

Click “Create /Register VM”.

Step 2: Creating new virtual machine

On the modal that pops up, select “Create a new virtual machine”, then click “Next”.

Step 3: Naming and configuring

Give your VM a name (e.g. “Canary”). Choose the guest OS family as “Linux” and the OS version as “Debian GNU/Linux 7 (64-bit)”. Click “Next’.

Step 4: Selecting Datastore

Select the datastore where you wish to place the VM. Click “Next”.

Step 5: Customize settings

In the Customize Settings click “Add hard disk” then “Existing hard disk”.

Step 6: Selecting Virtual Canary

In the datastore browser, select the “disk.vmdk” from the VirtualCanary-2.0 folder you uploaded previously, then click “Select”. This will add the disk to the new VM, and name it “New Hard Disk”.

Step 7: Removing Hard Disk

Remove “Hard Disk 1” by click on the X.

Step 8: Network configuration

Under “Network Adaptor 1”, make sure the Adaptor Type is set to “E1000”.

Step 9: Device configuration

Under “CD/DBD Drive 1”, ensure the device is configured to use a “Datastore ISO file”.

Step 10: Completing customization

Select “seed.iso” from the previously uploaded files.

With the VM customization complete, click “Next”, then click “Finish” to create the VM.

Step 11: Powering on the Virtual Canary

Return to the VM list, and Power On the VM.

Step 12: Booted Canary

In the Console window, you’ll see the Canary boot. It will eventually wind up at a login screen

Congratulations, your Virtual Canary is now up and running. Return to the Canary Console to commission your new bird.