VMware

VMware VirtualCenter 1.3.x Support Documentation


Features | Documentation | Knowledge Base | Discussion Forums

previous Prev   Contents   Last   Next next

Operations Overview

Typical VirtualCenter operations are focused around managing virtual machines on multiple hosts.

The figure below illustrates a VirtualCenter operation overview. Refer to Abbreviations for a description of abbreviations.

Link to tasks1.png

Working VirtualCenter Environment

Note: For the remainder of this manual, the term VirtualCenter refers to the VirtualCenter client unless explicitly specified otherwise.

There are two methods for adding virtual machines to VirtualCenter: either register a host with virtual machines on it, or create virtual machines. The list below describes some of the key process options.

  • A virtual machine can be created from scratch using the New Virtual Machine Wizard. After creating a virtual machine, you must install a guest operating system.
  • An existing virtual machine can be used as a source for new templates using the New Template Wizard.
  • An existing virtual machine can be cloned to create new virtual machines using the Clone Wizard.
  • Templates can be deployed as new virtual machines using the Template Deployment Wizard.
  • When you create a new machine from a template or as a clone, the new virtual machine can be customized using the Guest Customization Wizard. This wizard customizes a virtual machine that already has a guest operating system installed.
  • After you create a new virtual machine, irrespective of the method used to create it, it can be edited using the Virtual Machine Properties dialog box.
    • Action Requires

    New Virtual Machine

    No previous condition.

    Create Template

    Existing virtual machine managed by VirtualCenter or local to VirtualCenter server.

    Deploy Template

    Existing template in template upload repository or on datastore of managed host.

    Clone Existing Virtual Machine

    Existing registered virtual machine.

    Guest Customization

    Triggered from deploy template or clone wizards. Requires existing guest operating system in original source virtual machine or template.

    Edit Existing Virtual Machine

    Completed virtual machine.The virtual machine can be the result of the use of either the New Virtual Machine Wizard or the Deploy or Clone Wizards.

    • The following sections introduce the essential VirtualCenter tasks:

    previous Prev   Contents   Last   Next next