How to Create a New Virtual Machine from a Template in Essentials
Applies To: System Center Essentials 2010
After a server has been designated as a host in System Center Essentials 2010, virtual machines can be created and managed. Use the following procedure to create a virtual machine from a template. Using a virtual machine template, which consists of a hardware profile and an operating system profile, you can either accept the default properties or modify them according to your requirements.
To create a new virtual machine from a template
In the Essentials console, click the Computers button, click Computer Groups, and then click All Virtual Machines.
In the Tasks pane, click New Virtual Machine.
Important
You must first designate a host server for Virtualization Management to create a virtual machine from a template. Complete the procedure How to Designate a Host for Virtualization Management in Essentials if this has not yet been done.
When the Select Template page of the New Virtual Machine wizard appears, use one of the provided, preconfigured templates to create the virtual machine. Select a template based on its configuration. The default templates are 1 CPU – 1GB RAM – 16GB VHD, 1 CPU – 2GB RAM – 16GB VHD, or 2 CPU – 4GB RAM – 60GB VHD.
Tip
For more information about the default template profiles, see How to Manage Virtual Machine Templates in Essentials.
If you want to change the properties shown for the selected template, click the Change Properties button. Change the hardware configuration or operating system according to your requirements, and then click OK.
Hardware Configuration Properties
Processor—select the number of processors for this virtual machine.
Memory—select the total memory in megabytes for this virtual machine.
Hard Disks—select the size in gigabytes (GB) of the hard disk for this virtual machine.
Network—select the network to which this virtual machine will be connected, if applicable.
Note
You can only select one network connection for a virtual machine in Essentials 2010. To configure additional network connections, change the virtual machine properties by using Hyper-V Manager.
Operating System Properties
Install from network—select this if you want to install an operating system from the network.
Install from DVD—select this if you want to install an operating system from a DVD.
Select from the available ISO images—select this if you want to install an operating system from an ISO image.
Important
If the ISO image you want to install is not in the list, use Windows Explorer to locate and add the ISO file to the library folder, then click Refresh List to update the library and select the file.
Click Next to continue creating the new virtual machine.
When the Select a Host page appears, select a host from the list that has sufficient resources to host the virtual machine that you want to create, and then click Next.
When the Virtual Machine Name page appears, type a name for the virtual machine, an optional description, and either accept or change the default path for the host folder for virtual machine files. Click Next to continue.
On the Summary page, review the details for the virtual machine that will be created. Click Previous to go back and change properties or click Create to continue creating the virtual machine.
A progress bar is displayed while Essentials creates the virtual machine. After the virtual machine is created, Essentials automatically starts the virtual machine and connects you to it.
See Also
Tasks
How to View or Change Virtual Machine Properties in Essentials
How to Designate a Host for Virtualization Management in Essentials
How to Configure a Virtual Machine for Management in Essentials
How to Manage Virtual Machine Templates in Essentials