Creating a Virtual Machine from a Template in VMM
This topic describes how to create a virtual machine from a virtual machine template.
Considerations
- You cannot change the system disk or startup disk configuration.
- Templates are database objects that are displayed in Library view by selecting the Library Servers node in the navigation pane. Templates are not displayed when a library server or library share is selected.
Requirements
- The virtual hard disk must have the Windows Server 2003 or Windows Server 2003 R2 operating system installed.
- The virtual hard disk must have Virtual Machine Additions installed.
- The operating system on the virtual hard disk must have been prepared using the System Preparation tool (SysPrep.exe).
- The Administrator password on the virtual hard disk should be blank as part of the Sysprep process. However, the Administrator password for the guest operating system profile does not have to be blank.
Procedure
To create a virtual machine from a template:
- On the Actions pane in the Virtual Machine Manager Administrator Console, click New virtual machine.
- Complete the New Virtual Machine Wizard.
Wizard Page | Action |
---|---|
Select Source |
|
Virtual Machine Identity |
Configure the following options:
|
Configure Hardware |
To configure additional hardware for the virtual machine, use the following procedures:
|
Guest Operating System |
Configure identity information, administrative credentials, and user access to computers based on the template. You can change any of the default values that you specified in the template. Identity information: Enter the following settings:
Under Admin Password, specify the local Administrator password for the virtual machine. If virtual machines created with this template will not be in a domain, users must use this password to gain access to the local computer. Note To prompt for a password when the user creates a virtual machine with the template, enter an asterisk (*) in the Admin Password field. If you leave the field blank, virtual machine creation will fail. Networking: Configure settings to determine network access for virtual machines:
Important For increased security during the automation of mini-Setup, enter a user account with limited privileges.
Scripts: Use the options under Scripts to provide additional settings for Sysprep:
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Select Destination |
When creating a VM from a template, you must choose the following option:
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Select Virtual Machine Host (Host placement only) |
Select a host to deploy the virtual machine on. All hosts that are available for placement are given a rating of 0-5 stars based on their suitability to host the virtual machine. The host ratings are based on the virtual machine's hardware and resource requirements and anticipated resource usage. They are also based on placement settings that you can customize for VMM or for individual virtual machine deployments. The ratings are recommendations. You can select any host that has the required disk space and memory available.
|
Select Path |
Select the path to the folder that will store the configuration files for the virtual machine:
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Additional Properties (Host placement only) |
To enable optional actions when the Virtual Server service starts and stops, you must specify the account that Virtual Server will run under. For account requirements, see " 'Run-as' Account Requirements for Virtual Server" (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=102862). If the hardware supports hardware-assisted virtualization, and you would like to use that feature with the new virtual machine, select the Use Hardware Assisted Virtualization check box. |
Summary |
Review the configuration settings. To change settings, click Previous. To begin creating the virtual machine, click Create. Note Use the View Script button to display the Windows PowerShell - Virtual Machine Manager cmdlets that will perform the operation. All administrative tasks in Virtual Machine Manager can be performed at the command line or scripted. |