How to create a virtual machine using a prebuilt template and a vApp with Performance Cloud VMware (NSX-T)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Notes
• Important notes
• Procedure
  • Retrieve the password of the new virtual machine
  • Configure the virtual machine network
  • Resize virtual machine
  • Access the virtual machine via the console

Notes

vApps are not mandatory to run virtual machines but are strongly recommended as they could be necessary for some tasks in the future.

Examples: To delete virtual machines or to restore virtual machines.

To execute this procedure, we assume there is a vApp in place. If not, here is the article to create a vApp.
  

To execute this procedure, we assume there is a virtual network in place. If not, here is the article to create a virtual network.
  

To create a virtual machine with an OVA/OVF template, please see this article.

For the creation of a virtual machine with your own ISO file (and your own licenses), please consult this article.

Important notes

- Windows Server is already activated in prebuilt templates.
 

- Please consider the following two (2) items regarding creating disks or increasing the size of virtual hard drives:
 

• Reducing the size of a virtual hard disk is not an option available through the portal and requires several complex steps.
   
• Using the full storage quota can cause some features to not work, the inability to add RAM to virtual machines, and even the need to add additional storage and backups addons, thereby increasing monthly fees.
  
  It is strongly recommended to limit the use of the storage quota to 80% because all the elements below, in addition to the virtual disks, count against the total storage quota of your virtual data center:
  • Virtual machine templates
  • ISO files
  • Snapshots created manually or automatically by the backup system
  • Virtual machine memory swap files (.vswp file

Procedure

1. Login to the Performance Cloud VMware portal using your credentials.
      
2. Select your virtual datacenter.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Under the Compute section, click on vApps. select the desired vApp, click on ACTIONS, then on Add, and finally on Add VM.
   
   
   
   
   
4. Click on ADD VIRTUAL MACHINE.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Enter the information for the new virtual machine:
   • Name: Enter the name of your virtual machine
   • Computer Name: Change the host name of the virtual machine (if different than entered name)
   • Description: Optional - Describe your virtual machine
   • Type: Select From Template
   • Templates: Select the desired template (Example: Windows Server 2019 Datacenter)
     
     and click on OK
     
     
     
      
6. Click on ADD.
   
   
   
   
   
7. Wait until the creation is completed.
   
   
   
   
   
8. Once the virtual machine is created, click on DETAILS of your vApp.
   
   
   
   
   
9. Click on Virtual Machines and then click on the newly created virtual machine.
   
   
   
   
   
10. Click on Guest OS Customization and then click on EDIT.
    
    
    
    
    
11. Make sure the following options are selected:
    • Enable guest customization
    • Change SID 
    • Allow local administrator password
    • Auto generate password
      
      and click on SAVE.
      
      
      
      
      
12. Click on ALL ACTIONS, then Power and Power on, Force Recustomization.
    
    
    
    
    Once powered on for the first time, the recustomization will be pushed inside the OS and reboot the machine by itself.
    
    Note: For subsequent power-ons, the Power on (without recustomization) option will be the option to take.
    
    
     

Retrieve the password of the new virtual machine

Once recustomization is done and the virtual machine is started, refresh your browser and go back to Guest OS Customization. You will now see the password generated to access the virtual machine.

Configure the virtual machine network

1. In the Hardware section, click on NICs, then on EDIT.
   
      
   
   
2. Configure the following :

• Connect the NIC
• Select the virtual network for this virtual machine.
• Select the IP mode
• Define the static IP address (if the chosen IP mode is Static – Manual)
  
  and click on SAVE.
  
  
  
  
  
  

Resize virtual machine

Here are some articles to help you with editing virtual machine resources:

- How to add or remove virtual CPUs on a virtual machine with Performance Cloud VMware
 

- How to add or remove memory on a virtual machine with Performance Cloud VMware

- How to add or resize disks on virtual machines with Performance Cloud VMware

Access the virtual machine via the console

Click on ALL ACTIONS, then on VM Console, and on Launch Web Console.

   

Log in with the password generated in Guest OS Customization.

You can change the generated password inside the operating system if desired.

If the Static IP – Manual mode has been configured on the network adapter, configure a static IP address inside your virtual machine.

If not already done, you now need to configure your edge gateway to enable network connectivity and internet access. See this article if needed.

Notes:

You can also change the display resolution when using the console. However, highest resolution settings, like 1920x1080 (Full HD) or 3840 x 2160 (UHD), may not be available by default. To unblock those resolution settings, please contact our support team so we can shutdown affected virtual machines and assign the required video card memory on them in the backend.