How to make guest customization work for Debian 10.1x and Debian 11 in ESXi 7.0 and ESXi 7.0 update.

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:

Guest OS customization will fail if 'Guest OS Version' is selected as 'Debian GNU/Linux 10' or 'Debian GNU/Linux 11' in vSphere 7.0 releases

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi 7.0.1
VMware vSphere ESXi 7.0.0
VMware vSphere ESXi 7.0.3
VMware vSphere ESXi 7.0.2

Cause

The guest ids of Debian 10.1x and Debian 11 are not in the customization mapping of ESXi 7.0 releases.
 

Resolution

Guest OS customization on Debian 10.1x and Debian 11.x are supported in vSphere 8.0 release.

Workaround:

1. Power-Off the VM

2. Edit VM settings, select "Linux" for option "Guest OS" and select "Other 4.x or later Linux (64-bit) / Other 4.x or
    later Linux (32-bit)" for option "Guest OS Version"
    

Example:

•      Right click the VM and select "Edit Settings"  select  "VM Options"   select  "General Options"
•      For option "Guest OS", select "Linux"
•      For option "Guest OS Version", select "Other 4.x or later Linux (64-bit) / Other 4.x or later Linux (32-bit)"

3. Click "OK" to save the settings

4. Apply guest customization to the VM