Talos Linux Kubernetes may be one of my new favorite ways to spin up a Kubernetes cluster. It is API-driven and has many security advantages. Also, it takes care of the challenge of having a small Linux platform to run your Kubernetes environment. The OVA file is around 90 MB which is awesome. Check out the install process in VMware vSphere step-by-step here:
https://www.virtualizationhowto.com/2024/01/talos-linux-kubernetes-vmware-vsphere-installation/