Virtual machines

A virtual machine has a configuration that you change and a state that the host reports. Virtual machine concepts explains both, the power states, tasks and the limits on devices.

Tasks of this section:

• Create a virtual machine from a cloud image or with an empty disk.
• Power operations: power on, power off, reset, suspend and shut down the guest.
• Edit hardware: CPUs, memory, disks, network adapters, CD/DVD drives, firmware and virtual TPM.
• Console: the screen of a virtual machine in the browser, and the serial log.
• Snapshots: take, revert, rename and remove.
• Clone and templates: copy a virtual machine, or make a template and deploy from it.
• Guest customization: cloud-init data, customization profiles and guest access.
• Guest operations: files and programs in the guest through the guest agent.
• Relocate: move a virtual machine to another host, resource group or datastore.
• Scheduled tasks: power on or power off at a set time.
• Import and export: OVF packages.
• Troubleshooting: power-on refused, not placed, console not available.

Disks and files of virtual machines are in Storage.

• Virtual machine conceptsConfiguration and observed state, power states, tasks, placement on a host, the inventory around a virtual machine and the limits on devices.
• Create a virtual machineCreate a virtual machine from a cloud image or with an empty disk in the console wizard, and from the command line or the API.
• Power operationsPower on, power off, reset, suspend and shut down the guest of a virtual machine in the console, and delete, unregister or register one.
• Edit hardwareChange the CPUs, memory, disks, network adapters and CD/DVD drives of a virtual machine, and set firmware and virtual TPM, in the console.
• ConsoleOpen the screen of a virtual machine in the browser, send keys and text, read the serial log and get a ticket for tools.
• SnapshotsTake, revert, rename and remove snapshots of a virtual machine in the console, with or without its memory.
• Clone and templatesClone a virtual machine, convert one to a template and deploy new virtual machines from a template in the console.
• Guest customizationSet up SSH keys, password and cloud-init data at creation, change guest access later, and create and apply customization profiles in the console.
• Guest operationsCheck the guest agent, handle files and run programs inside a running guest through the guest agent in the console; the CLI and the API follow.
• RelocateMove a virtual machine to another host, resource group, folder or datastore, and migrate a running one between hosts, with the console wizard.
• Scheduled tasksPower a virtual machine on or off once or on a recurring schedule in the console, run a scheduled task at once, edit it and delete it.
• Import and exportImport a virtual machine from an OVA or OVF package and export one as an OVF package in the console, and through transfer leases with the CLI or the API.
• Troubleshooting virtual machinesCauses and remedies for a refused power-on, a virtual machine that is not placed, a console that does not open and refused configuration changes.