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XenCenter
Current Release 7.1 LTSR
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Creating a New VM

April 4, 2022
Contributed by: 
C

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 Citrix Hypervisor 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 template.

    The first step is to choose a 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.

  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 and boot mode.

    The third step in the process is to specify the type and location of the OS installation media and to choose a boot mode for the VM.

    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 recent versions of Windows guest operating systems to boot in UEFI mode. For more information, see OS installation media.

    Note:

    Guest UEFI boot is an experimental feature. You can create UEFI-enabled VMs on hosts that are in a production environment. However, UEFI-enabled VMs must not be used for production purposes. You might have to re-create the VMs when you upgrade the host to a newer version.

  4. Choose a home server.

    This step is optional, but you can choose a home server for the new VM. Citrix Hypervisor always attempts to start the VM on the nominated home server if it can. For more information, see Home server.

  5. 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.

  6. 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 Citrix Hypervisor Premium Edition customers, or customers who have access to Citrix Hypervisor through their Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops entitlement or Citrix DaaS entitlement. For more information, see About Citrix Hypervisor Licensing.

  7. 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.

  8. Configure cloud-config parameters. (CoreOS VMs only)

    If you are creating a CoreOS VM, you are prompted to specify the cloud-configuration parameters for the VM. For more information, see Cloud-Config Parameters.

  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.

Creating a New VM
April 4, 2022
Contributed by: 
C
April 4, 2022
Contributed by: 
C

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