Prepare ESX

Enable GuestIPHack

esxcli system settings advanced set -o /Net/GuestIPHack -i 1

Enable VNC

chmod 644 /etc/vmware/firewall/service.xml
chmod +t /etc/vmware/firewall/service.xml

Append the below section to the file

<service id="1000">
  <id>packer-vnc</id>
  <rule id="0000">
    <direction>inbound</direction>
    <protocol>tcp</protocol>
    <porttype>dst</porttype>
    <port>
      <begin>5900</begin>
      <end>6000</end>
    </port>
  </rule>
  <enabled>true</enabled>
  <required>true</required>
</service>

Change file permissions back

chmod 444 /etc/vmware/firewall/service.xml
esxcli network firewall refresh

Set Packer variables

At the top of win2016.json set the variables for your environment. This template was used to provision on a standard portgroup. To use a distributed portgroup, the portgroup type must be'Ephemeral' for the VM to connect. Copy the ethernet0.dvs.switchId and ethernet0.dvs.portgroupId from the vmx file of an existing VM. If you are using a standard switch, set the portgroup name with "ethernet0.networkName": "VM Network". Finally, make sure that the iso name and path match the location and name of your ISO.