# Data Object - AnswerFile(vim.profile.host.AnswerFile)

Property of
  StructuredCustomizations
Returned by
  RetrieveAnswerFile, RetrieveAnswerFileForProfile
Extends
  DynamicData
See also
  ProfileDeferredPolicyOptionParameter
Since
  vSphere API 5.0

## Data Object Description

The AnswerFile data object contains host-specific information that a host will use in combination with a HostProfile for configuration. Answer files are stored on the vCenter Server, along with host profiles. An answer file is always associated with a particular host.

To supply host-specific data:

- Specify deferred parameters when you call the HostProfile.ExecuteHostProfile method. The host profile engine will verify the set of parameters for the additional configuration data.
- Use the complete required input list (ProfileExecuteResult.requireInput[]) as user input for the HostProfileManager.ApplyHostConfig_Task method. When you apply the profile, the vCenter Server saves the additional configuration data in the userInput list.
- Use the HostProfileManager.UpdateAnswerFile_Task method. This method will update an existing answer file or create a new one.

Properties

Name | Type | Description
--- | --- | ---
createdTime | xsd:dateTime | Time at which the answer file was created.
modifiedTime | xsd:dateTime | Time at which the answer file was last modified.
userInput* | ProfileDeferredPolicyOptionParameter[] | List containing host-specific configuration data.
Properties inherited from DynamicData
None

*Need not be set
Show WSDL type definition
<complexType xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:vim25="urn:vim25" name="AnswerFile"> <complexContent> <extension base="vim25:DynamicData"> <sequence> <element name="userInput" type="vim25:ProfileDeferredPolicyOptionParameter" minOccurs="0" maxOccurs="unbounded"/> <element name="createdTime" type="xsd:dateTime"/> <element name="modifiedTime" type="xsd:dateTime"/> </sequence> </extension> </complexContent> </complexType>