Creating Generation 2 Virtual Machine Templates on SCVMM

Use the following instructions to create Generation 2 virtual machine (VM) templates that you can use for guest customization of VMs on the System Center Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM) for Microsoft Hyper-V.

The exact instructions depend on the operating system; instructions are provided for templates for Microsoft Windows 2012 (and R2), and Linux.

Creating Generation 2 templates on SCVMM for Windows 2012 (x86, x64, and R2)

1. On the SCVMM Admin Console, create a new VM.
   
   
2. Select Generation 2 and name the template.
   
   For instructions about customizing the start-up order and specifying the generation, see the Microsoft online technical documentation.
3. Ensure that the Secure Boot option is set to Enabled, as shown below:
   
4. Connect to the Network and attach the ISO, as shown below:
   

5. Click Next, and complete the wizard.

6. Power on the VM.

7. Open the console for the VM.

8. Complete the installation of the Operating System.

   The Virtual Guest Services and VM Additions are installed automatically by SCVMM.

9. Refresh the VM you created from the SCVMM Console.

10. Install the BladeLogic RSCD Agent. See Installing an RSCD agent (Windows).

11. Shutdown the new VM.

12. From the SCVMM Console, right-click the VM and select Create VM Template.
    

13. Enter a template name.
    
14. Click Next to display the Configure Operating System wizard. Do the following:
    1. For the Guest OS Profile, select Create new Windows operating system customization setting from the drop-down list.
    2. Select the OS, as shown below.
       
       

15. Select the Library Server for the VM.

16. Provide the share location to which you want to save VM.

17. Complete the wizard, and click Create.

After the job has finished running, the template is ready for use.

Creating Generation 2 templates on SCVMM for Linux

The following sections describe how to create a generation 2 template for Linux.

Before you begin

1. Download and install the roll-up package from the Microsoft support site.
   1. Download and install the Server update package.
   2. Download and install Administrator Console update package.
   3. Download the Guest Agent update package.

2. Download the Linux Integration tools from the Microsoft download center.

To create a Linux VM template with an RSCD agent

You can find detailed instructions for creating the template on the Microsoft technical support site. The following procedure provides the high-level steps.

1. Create a new VM (from blank hard disk), mounting Linux installation media.
   
2. Specify the VM name.
   
3. Attach the Linux ISO for the OS installation.
   
4. Ensure that the secure boot is disabled, as shown below:
   
5. Confirm the settings, and click Create.
   

6. Install the Linux distro, configure disks, sudoers, packages, and so on.

7. Install or update the latest Linux Integration Services (Hyper-V drivers).

8. Install the Linux Agent for SCVMM, according to the instructions on the Microsoft technical support site. 

9. Install the BladeLogic RSCD agent, configure the exports file, and restart the agent.

10. Shut down the VM, copy the VHD to a SCVMM library share and refresh the SCVMM library.

11. Create a new VM template, selecting the VHD in the library as the starting point, as shown below:
    

12. Enter a name for the template.
    
13. Ensure that the secure boot is disabled, as shown below:
    
    
14. For the Guest OS Profile, select the Linux option from the drop-down list:
    
    

15. Complete the wiard, confirm the settings, and click Create.

Where to go from here

Creating a Virtual Guest Job