How do I deploy a Virtual Canary on VMware ESXi?

How to deploy a Virtual Canary on VMware ESXi to monitor your virtualized infrastructure, guiding you through downloading the OVA, importing it into ESXi, configuring the VM, and connecting it to your Canary Console for active threat detection.

Canaries aren't just Hardware devices. You can run virtualised Canaries inside your VM infrastructure with the same features that a physical Canary brings.

Requirements: All that's needed for a fully functioning bird:

• Disk space larger than 10GB
• 2GB memory
• Single CPU core

Follow the steps below to create your Virtual Canary in VMware ESXi:

Step 1: Log in to your Console

Step 2: Add a New Canary

1. Click the + Add icon.
2. Click Add New Canary.

Step 3: Select VMware Canary

Click Add VMware Canary.

Step 4: Download the OVA File

1. Click Download.
2. Click OVA to begin the download.

Step 5: Confirm Download Completion

The OVA file has now been successfully downloaded.

Step 6: Open ESXi and Create a VM

On ESXi, click Create / Register VM.

Step 7: Choose OVA Deployment

1. Select Deploy a Virtual machine from an OVF or OVA file.
2. Select Next.

Step 8: Name Your Virtual Machine

1. Name your Virtual machine.

   Note

   We used "CPT-SQL"

2. Drag and drop the OVA file or select the file from the location you downloaded it to.
3. Click Next.

Step 9: Select Storage Location

1. Select the storage location for the Virtual machine.

2. Click Next.

Step 10: Configure Network and Disk

1. Select the VM Network from the drop-down list.

   Note

   We chose "VM Network"

2. Select Thin disk provisioning.
3. Tick Power on automatically.
4. Click Next.

Step 11: Review and Finish Setup

Your Virtual Canary is almost ready to go!

Click Finish.

Step 12: Provisioning in Progress

Your Virtual Canary is being provisioned.

Step 13: Virtual Canary Powered On

Your Virtual Canary has successfully been provision and powered on.

Step 14: Confirm in Your Console

On your Console, you should see a pop up to confirm your new Canary.

Click Add Canary.

Step 15: Boot and Connect Canary

Your Virtual Canary will boot and connect back to your Console.

You can set up your Virtual Canary from within your Console using the remote management — Guide found here.