Create a virtual machine template in Hyper-DRAW

I) Introduction

Creating a virtual machine, then installing an operating system (OS) and applications (applications) for them will take a lot of time. In addition, you must update (Patch/Service Pack), configure and install other components. For example, you need to deploy 20 Windows 8.1 machines with full Office software, Software, Antivirus and Client / Server applications to users in the company within 1 day, it becomes very difficult.

The solution to save and quickly create (provision) batch of virtual machines using Templates. You just need to create a virtual machine, then fully install the software, update the operating system and applications, and finally repackage it into a Template (actually a VHD file). And you can create batches of virtual machines by copying VHD files, each VHD file is a virtual machine.

Note: virtual machines like AD DS, SQL Server do not run Sysprep.

II) Implementation

1) Create a template for the virtual machine

• On the virtual machine, go to Run -> type Sysprep

• Select “Generalize” and “Shutdown”.

• The system will run sysprep and automatically shutdown after it is done, this time it becomes Template

• After shutdown, we copy the VHD file of the virtual machine and store it somewhere else as a template.

2. Perform virtual machine creation and testing

• Create a new folder containing the virtual machine you want to create and paste the VHD file into the folder

• Proceed to create a virtual machine -> Right-click Hyper-V Server and select New -> Virtual Machine

• Navigate to the VHD file path in the new virtual machine directory

• The system is initializing and scanning drivers

• The virtual machine runs Sysprep and requires information

• The system is configuring

• Finish creating a new virtual machine using the template.