Creating and Deploying a Linux-Based Virtual Machine Template

Updated: May 13, 2016

Applies To: System Center 2012 SP1 - Virtual Machine Manager

By using Virtual Machine Manager (VMM) in System Center 2012 Service Pack 1 (SP1), you can deploy a virtual machine in which the guest operating system is Linux. One of the methods to accomplish that process is to create a virtual machine template with settings for the virtual machine and for the Linux operating system. You can then use that template to create virtual machines, with a consistent configuration that is based on the settings in the template.

The ability to configure operating system settings when you create a virtual machine template is referred to as operating system specialization. This Linux support, particularly the support for Linux-specific values as part of a virtual machine template and the built-in operating system specialization process, works only when the Linux virtual machine is deployed on Microsoft Hyper-V.

The Linux-based virtual machine template scenario article is intended to serve as a comprehensive guide for the scenario. In addition to providing high-level steps, the article is a central repository for additional examples of creating Linux-based templates. By adding examples to the article, you can help other members of the community expand the Microsoft solution.

The scenario article Create a Linux-Based Virtual Machine Template Scenario is on the TechNet Wiki, where you can provide feedback and contribute updates.