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XenCenter
2024 8.2.7
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Creating a New VM

October 10, 2024
Contributed by: 
X X

The New VM wizard takes you through the process of creating a new virtual machine (VM), step-by-step. To start the New VM wizard, on the toolbar, click New VM.

Alternatively, do one of the following:

  • Press Ctrl+N.
  • On the VM menu, click New VM.
  • Select a server in the Resources pane, right-click and then click New VM on the shortcut menu.

Using the wizard, you can configure the new VM exactly the way you want it, adjusting various configuration parameters for CPU, storage, and networking resources. Depending on the VM template you choose on the first page of the wizard, you see slightly different VM configuration options presented on subsequent pages. The installation options presented are tailored for each guest operating system. Click Help, or press F1 on any wizard page for more information on what to do.

In XenServer environments where Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) is implemented, the New VM wizard checks that you have a role with sufficient permissions to create VMs. If your RBAC role does not have sufficient permissions, for example, a VM Operator or Read-only role, you cannot continue with VM creation. For more information, see RBAC overview.

Overview of VM creation steps

The New VM wizard takes you through the following steps to create a VM:

  1. Select a VM template.

    To begin, choose a suitable VM template. Templates contain the setup information to create a VM with a specific guest operating system, and with the optimum storage, CPU, memory, and virtual network configuration. Various different templates are supplied, and you can add custom templates of your own. For more information, see Template and BIOS options.

    When selecting a built-in Windows template, you have the option to manage I/O driver updates for XenServer VM Tools via Windows Update by enabling or disabling the Allow Windows Update to deliver I/O drivers checkbox.

    For custom templates or snapshots, the New VM wizard displays the current value of the has-vendor-device field. This field must be set to true to allow delivery of PV drivers through Windows Update.

    Note:

    If you intend to use your Windows VM as a Citrix Provisioning target or with the reset-on-boot flag enabled, you cannot use any of the automated update mechanisms. In such cases, ensure that the Allow Windows Update to deliver I/O drivers checkbox is disabled. For more information, see Settings for Citrix Provisioning targets or reset-on-boot machines.

  2. Give the new VM a name.

    Next, you give the new VM a name and, optionally, a description. VM names are not checked for uniqueness within XenCenter, so it makes it easier for you to manage different VMs if you give them meaningful, memorable names. For more information, see VM name and description.

  3. Specify the operating system installation media, boot mode, and whether to attach a vTPM.

    Windows operating systems can be installed from an ISO library, from install media in a physical DVD/CD drive or from network boot. Linux operating systems can be installed from a network install repository, an ISO library, or from install media in a physical DVD/CD drive.

    You can now allow some guest operating systems to boot in UEFI mode. For more information, see OS installation media.

    For Windows 11 VMs, you must attach a vTPM. The option Create and attach a new vTPM is selected and cannot be unselected. For other VM operating systems that support vTPM, you can choose whether to select Create and attach a new vTPM. The vTPM provides a TPM 2.0 compliant API to applications in the VM. TPM 1.2 is not supported.

  4. Choose a home server.

    This step is optional, but you can choose a home server for the new VM. XenServer always attempts to start the VM on the nominated home server if it can. For more information, see Home server. If you have assigned a home server to the VM and later assign the VM to a group, the home server takes priority.

  5. (XenServer 8 and later) Configure the VM group.

    You can choose to put the VM in a group. Groups affect where the VM is placed when it is started, resumed, or evacuated from a host. The home server setting has higher priority than the placement rules of the group. You can choose an existing group or create a new group by clicking New VM group…. For more information, see VM group.

  6. Configure CPU and memory.

    • For Windows VMs: You can assign virtual CPUs (vCPUs) to the new VM, specify the number of cores per socket to present to the vCPUs, and allocate memory. These settings can be adjusted later, after the new VM has been created. For more information, see CPU and memory configuration.
    • For Linux VMs: You can assign a maximum number of vCPUs to the VM, specify the number of cores per socket to present to the vCPUs, set the initial number of vCPUs, and allocate memory. These settings can be adjusted later, after the new VM has been created. For more information, see CPU and memory configuration.

  7. Assign a graphics processing unit (GPU).

    The New VM wizard prompts you to assign a dedicated GPU or one or more virtual GPUs to the VM. This feature enables the VM to use the processing power of the GPU, empowering high-end 3D professional graphics applications such as CAD/CAM, GIS, and Medical Imaging applications. For more information, see GPU.

    Note:

    GPU Virtualization is available for XenServer Premium Edition customers. For more information, see About XenServer Licensing.

  8. Configure storage.

    The next step is to configure virtual disks for the new VM. The wizard automatically configures a minimum of one virtual disk and the template you select might include more. For more information, see Virtual disk configuration.

  9. Configure networking.

    The last step in the process of provisioning a new VM is to configure networking. You can configure up to four virtual network interfaces on each VM. For more information, see Configure virtual network interfaces.

  10. Complete new VM creation.

    On the final page of the wizard, you can review all the configuration options you have chosen. Select the Start VM automatically check box to have the new VM start automatically when it is created.

XenServer 8

Citrix Hypervisor 8.2 Cumulative Update 1

Creating a New VM
October 10, 2024
Contributed by: 
X X
October 10, 2024
Contributed by: 
X X

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