How to Manage Virtual Machine Templates in Essentials
Applies To: System Center Essentials 2010
In System Center Essentials 2010, you can create, modify, or delete virtual machine templates and store them in a library of different hardware configurations. These customized templates make creating virtual machines faster and easier. Use the procedures below to change the settings of the existing templates or create new templates.
The following table lists the virtual machine templates that are included with Essentials 2010.
1 CPU – 2GB RAM – 16GB VHD |
1 CPU – 1GB RAM – 16GB VHD |
2 CPU – 4GB RAM – 60GB VHD |
|
Processors |
1 |
1 |
2 |
Memory |
2 GB |
1 GB |
4 GB |
Hard Disk |
16 GB |
16 GB |
60 GB |
Network |
Show locations |
Show locations |
Show locations |
CD/DVD Drive |
None |
None |
None |
BIOS Boot Order |
CD/DVD, Virtual Hard Disk, Network |
CD/DVD, Virtual Hard Disk, Network |
CD/DVD, Virtual Hard Disk, Network |
Note
The names and descriptions of preconfigured templates cannot be changed. You can edit hardware properties for these templates, but we recommend that you leave these settings unchanged and instead add new templates if you want to use alternative hardware configurations.
Important
When creating or modifying a template, if you want to use a virtual hard disk (VHD) with an operating system already installed, ensure that the VHD file is saved after you run the System Preparation Tool (sysprep.exe) on the operating system installed inside the VHD. Microsoft does not provide support for computers that are installed by duplicating fully installed copies of the operating system that have not been created using the System Preparation Tool.
To view or edit an existing virtual machine template
In the Essentials console, click Computers, click Computer Groups, and then click All Windows Servers.
In the Tasks pane, click Manage Templates.
When the Manage Virtual Machine Templates dialog box appears, click one of the templates, and then click View/Edit.
On the Template Information page, change the name or optional description for this virtual machine template.
On the Processor page, change the number of processors to use for this template.
On the Memory page, change the amount of memory to use to meet application and operating system requirements for this template.
On the Hard Disk page, change the name for the hard disk, change the size, or change the VHD file to be used for this template.
Important
A link to the Library folder is provided on this page. If the VHD file you want to use is not in the list, add the file to this folder, and then, on the Hard Disk page, click Refresh List to add the file to the list so you can select it.
On the Network page, select from a list of available host network connections or select Not connected if you do not want to configure the network connection when using this template to create a virtual machine.
On the BIOS Boot Order page, select a device from the list, and then click Move up or Move down to change the boot order for this template.
On the CD/DVD Drives page, select the host computer’s CD/DVD, or leave the setting as None if you do not want to configure the CD/DVD drive when using this template to create a virtual machine.
If you have made any changes to the virtual machine template settings, click Save to save the settings.
To create a new virtual machine template
In the Essentials console, click Computers, click Computer Groups, and then click All Windows Servers.
In the Tasks pane, click Manage Templates.
When the Manage Virtual Machine Templates dialog box appears, click New to open the Template Properties dialog box.
On the Template Information page, in the provided boxes, type a name and optional description for the new template.
On the Processor page, select the number of processors to use for this template.
On the Memory page, select the amount of memory to use to meet application and operating system requirements for this template.
On the Hard Disk page, select a virtual hard disk (VHD) to use from the list.
Important
A link to the Library folder is provided on this page. If the VHD file that you want to use is not in the list, add the file to this folder, and then, on the Hard Disk page, click Refresh List to add the file to the list so that you can select it.
On the Network page, select from a list of available host network connections, or select Not connected if you do not want to configure the network connection when using this template to create a virtual machine.
Note
The Not Connected value is the only available value in the Network box if you have not designated a host. After you designate a host, the network connection will be available when you create a new virtual machine or change the properties of an existing virtual machine.
On the BIOS Boot Order page, select a device from the list, and then click Move up or Move down to change the boot order for this template.
On the CD/DVD Drives page, select the host computer’s CD/DVD, or leave the setting as None if you do not want to configure the CD/DVD drive when using this template to create a virtual machine.
When you have finished configuring the virtual machine template settings, click Save to save the settings.
To delete a virtual machine template
In the Essentials console, click Computers, and then click All Virtual Machines.
In the Tasks pane, click Manage Templates.
When the Manage Virtual Machine Templates dialog box appears, click one of the templates, and then click Delete.
Note
Preconfigured templates cannot be deleted.
When the Confirm Delete Template dialog box appears, click Yes to delete the template you selected.
See Also
Tasks
How to Create a New Virtual Machine from a Template in Essentials
How to View or Change Virtual Machine Properties in Essentials
How to Configure a Virtual Machine for Management in Essentials