How to Create a SAN Copy-Capable Template from a New Virtual Machine
Updated: May 13, 2016
Applies To: System Center 2012 SP1 - Virtual Machine Manager, System Center 2012 R2 Virtual Machine Manager, System Center 2012 - Virtual Machine Manager
You can use the procedures in this topic to create a SAN copy-capable template from a new virtual machine in Virtual Machine Manager (VMM). In these procedures, you create a new virtual machine on a logical unit that is assigned to a Hyper-V host, and then create a SAN-copy capable template from the virtual machine on the library server. When you create the template, the logical unit is automatically unregistered from the host and registered to the library server.
Prerequisites
Before you begin these procedures, make sure that the following prerequisites are met:
Your configuration must meet all the prerequisites that are defined in the Prerequisites for rapid provisioning using SAN copy section of "Rapid Provisioning of Virtual Machines Using SAN Copy Overview." Note that the library server does not have to be a managed Hyper-V host. However, it must have access to the storage pool where the logical unit that you use for rapid provisioning resides.
You must create a logical unit from the managed storage pool that you want to use for rapid provisioning, and assign it to the host where you want to create the new virtual machine. You must also format the logical unit with NTFS, and assign a drive letter. You can use any of the following methods:
Create and assign the logical unit through the VMM console from the Storage tab in the managed Hyper-V host’s properties. When you assign the logical unit, you can format and assign a drive letter to the logical unit at the same time. For information about how to create and assign a logical unit to a host through VMM, see How to Configure Storage on a Hyper-V Host in VMM.
Create a logical unit from the Storage node in the Fabric workspace. Then, allocate the logical unit to a host group, and assign the logical unit to the host from the managed Hyper-V host. When you assign the logical unit, you can format and assign a drive letter to the logical unit at the same time. For information about how to create a logical unit from the Storage node, see How to Provision Storage Logical Units in VMM.
Use your storage array vendor’s management tools to create and assign the logical unit. You can use Disk Management (Diskmgmt.msc) to format the logical unit and assign a drive letter after the logical unit is assigned to the host.
Note
In the example scenario, drive L: is used to represent the drive letter that is assigned to the logical unit.
The logical unit that you want to use for the new virtual machine must be empty.
To create a SAN copy-capable virtual hard disk on a host
Open the VMs and Services workspace.
On the Home tab, in the Create group, click the Create Virtual Machine drop-down arrow, and then click Create Virtual Machine.
The Create Virtual Machine Wizard opens.
On the Select Source page, click Create the new virtual machine with a blank virtual hard disk, and then click Next.
Specify identity options as follows, and then click Next:
With VMM in System Center 2012 SP1 or System Center 2012, on the Specify Virtual Machine Identity page, enter the virtual machine name and optional description. For example, enter the name Rapid Provision Base VM (WS08R2Ent).
As of VMM in System Center 2012 R2, on the Identity page, enter the virtual machine name—for example, the name Rapid Provision Base VM WS12—and an optional description. In the Generation box, select Generation 1 or Generation 2. (For more information, see Understanding Generation 1 and Generation 2 Virtual Machines in VMM.)
On the Configure Hardware page, configure the desired hardware settings for the virtual machine, and then click Next.
Note
Make sure that the Create a new virtual hard disk option is selected.
On the Select Destination page, accept the default setting of Place the virtual machine on a host, and then click Next.
On the Select Host page, select the host where you assigned the logical unit that you want to use for rapid provisioning, and then click Next.
On the Configure Settings page, do the following:
Under Locations, click Virtual Machine Location. In the results pane, under the Virtual machine path box, click Browse. In the Select Destination Folder dialog box, click the drive that you created from the assigned logical unit, and then click OK.
Note
In the Select Destination Folder dialog box, verify that the text SAN (Migration Capable) appears next to the drive information.
For example, click drive (L:\) [9.92 GB free of 10.00 GB, SAN (Migration Capable)].
Under Machine Resources, click Virtual Hard Disk. In the results pane, next to the Destination path box, click Browse. In the Select Destination Folder dialog box, click the same drive that you selected in step 8a (the drive that you created from the assigned logical unit), and then click OK.
For example, click drive L:\.
Click Next to continue.
On the Select Networks page, select the desired logical network, virtual network, and VLAN setting.
On the Add Properties page, configure the desired settings, and then click Next.
On the Summary page, review the settings, and then click Create.
Open the Jobs workspace to view the job status. Verify that the job has a status of Completed w/ Info, and then close the dialog box.
In the VMs and Services workspace, under All Hosts, click the host where you placed the virtual machine. In the VMs pane, verify that the new virtual machine is listed.
On the new virtual machine, install and customize the guest operating system and any desired applications. Generalize the image by running Sysprep.exe.
Note
When you are finished, make sure that there are no .iso image files attached to the virtual DVD drive.
To create a SAN copy-capable template
Open the Library workspace.
On the Home tab, in the Create group, click Create VM Template.
The Create VM Template Wizard opens.
On the Select Source page, click From an existing virtual machine that is deployed on a host, click Browse, click the virtual machine on the host that resides on the logical unit, and then click OK.
For example, click a virtual machine name such as Rapid Provision Base VM (WS08R2Ent) or Rapid Provision Base VM WS12, and then click OK.
On the Select Source page, click Next.
Review the warning message, and then click Yes to continue.
On the VM Template Identity page, enter a name for the template in the VM Template name box, enter an optional description, and then click Next.
For example, enter a name such as Rapid Provision Template (WS08R2Ent) or Rapid Provision Template WS12, and then click Next.
On the Configure Hardware page, click Next.
Note
Notice that a storage classification appears in the Classification list for the virtual hard disk. The classification matches what you assigned to the storage pool from which you created the logical unit.
On the Configure Operating System page, click Next.
On the Select Library Server page, click the library server where you want to create the template. Verify that the Transfer Type column for the selected library server indicates SAN, and then click Next.
Important
The library server must have access to the same storage pool as the host.
On the Select Path page, next to the Virtual machine path box, click Browse. In the Select Destination Folder dialog box, select a location on the library server to store the virtual machine files, click OK, and then click Next.
On the Summary page, click Create.
Open the Jobs workspace to view the job status. Verify that the job has a status of Completed.
To verify that the template was created, in the Library workspace, in the Library pane, expand Templates, and then click VM Templates.
In the Templates pane, verify that the new template is listed, with a status of OK.
Tip
To add the SAN Copy Capable column to the Templates pane, right-click the column header, and then click SAN Copy Capable.
See Also
Rapid Provisioning of Virtual Machines Using SAN Copy Overview
How to Deploy a New Virtual Machine from the SAN Copy-Capable Template