Create a VM Instance

Using the Virtual machines page in the web console, Cockpit administrators can create virtual machine (VM) instances as needed.

Note:

Alternatively, administrators can create VM instances by using the Terminal CLI in the Cockpit web console. For command line instructions, see Create: KVM Instance in one of the following locations:

What Do You Need?

  • The Cockpit web console must be installed and accessible.

    For details, see these topics: Install and Enable Cockpit and Log in to the Cockpit Web Console.

  • The Cockpit Virtual Machines add-on application must be installed in the web console and the Oracle Linux virtualization packages must be installed and enabled on the host system. For more information, see Install Cockpit Virtual Machines and Enable Virtualization.
  • A minimum of one virtual storage pool must exist to create a virtual machine.

    Note:

    A virtualization storage pool is automatically provided in the /var/lib/libvirt/images directory.

    For information on how to add a new storage pool, see Create a Storage Pool.

  • A compatible guest OS is required to create a virtual machine.
  • All minimum KVM system requirements must be met on the Cockpit host system to create, run, and manage VM instances.
  • Internet access is required on host system when the selected installation type for installing a guest OS is Download OS or URL.

For more information, see KVM Guest: Operating Systems and KVM Host: System Requirements in one of the following locations:

Steps

Using the Cockpit web console, follow these steps to create a virtual machine on the host system.

  1. In the Cockpit navigation pane, click Virtual machines.
    The Virtual machines page appears.
  2. In the Virtual machines page, click Create VM.
    The Create new virtual machine dialog box appears.
  3. In the Create new virtual machine dialog box, specify the applicable properties:
    Name Enter a unique name for the VM.
    Details tab: Connection Select either the System or User session radio button. For more details about these options, click the question mark [?] icon (next to the Connection property title).
    Details tab: Installation type Select one of the following options:

    • Download an OS

      Internet access on host required to download OS.

    • Cloud Base Image

      You must have access to a Cloud base image on host system.

    • Local Install Media

      You must have access on host system to either ISO image or the distribution installation tree.

    • URL

      You must have Internet access on host system to specify a URL installation

    • Network Boot (PXE)

      You must have a PXE boot configuration available on host system.
    Details tab: Installation source

    Note:

    This property isn't applicable (not shown) when installation type is Download OS.

    Specify the applicable path to the installation source.

    Details tab: Operating system Select the name of the guest OS.
    Details tab: Storage Select one of the following options:
    • Create New Volume. When selected, you can choose to accept the default storage size or specify a different storage size in MiBs or GiBs.
    • No Storage.
    • Storage pool. Select an existing storage pool from the list box and then choose a volume.
    Details tab: Storage limit

    Note:

    The Storage Limit property is only configurable when the Create New Volume option is selected.
    Choose to accept the default storage limit properties or specify a different storage limit size.
    Details tab: Memory Choose to accept the default memory size property or change the memory size property as needed.
    Automation tab: Unattended install properties (Optional)

    Note:

    This option is only available for configuration when a Cloud base image installation type is specified.
    If applicable, specify the following properties to deploy an unattended install:
    • Password (optional). Enter a root password for the VM or leave this field blank. Click the question mark [?] icon for more details.
    • User Log-in (required). Specify a username to enable an unattended installation.
    • User password (optional). Enter a user account password or leave this field blank. Click the questions mark [?] icon for more details.
  4. Click one of the following:
    • Create and Run. Upon creating the VM instance, the VM guest OS installation starts automatically. The newly created VM appears in a Running state on the VM page.

      Note:

      If the option for unattended installation is enabled, no user input is required. If the option for unattended installation is disabled, complete the installation by responding to the installation prompts displaying in the VM console. For more details, see the OS specific installation documentation.
    • Create and Edit. Upon creating the VM instance, the VM guest OS installation is loaded and ready for installation. The VM state appears in a Shut off state on the VM page.
  5. In the VM page of the newly created VM, you can perform any of the following actions as needed:
    Install

    Note:

    Install appears only when the option for Create and Edit was selected to create the VM.
    Click Install to run the guest OS installation program on the VM instance.

    If an unattended installation was enabled, the installation process proceeds without user input. If the unattended installation was disabled, respond to the installation prompts appearing in the VM console. For information on how to respond to the installation prompts, see the manufacturer's OS installation documentation.

    Shutdown

    Note:

    This option appears only when the VM guest is in a running or paused state.
    Click Shutdown to exit the OS program on the VM instance.
    Run

    Note:

    Run appears after shutting down the guest installation. The VM instance appears in a shut off (inactive) state.
    Click Run to start the guest OS program on the VM instance.
    Actions menu [⋮] Click actions [⋮] menu to select a VM management action.
    Overview section Navigate to the Overview section to view hypervisor details associated with the VM instance.

    Configurable options are available for editing the CPU, Memory, AutoStart, and Watchdog properties.

    For more information about changing these properties, see Edit Memory, CPU, Autostart, or Watchdog Properties.

    Note:

    The Firmware property is only editable after selecting the option to Create and Edit.
    Console section Navigate to the Console section to view and interact with VM guest OS.

    Click the list box to select another console type (serial, VNC, and desktop viewer). For more information on how to set up the different consoles, see Configure Console for VM Interaction.

    Usage section Navigate to the Usage section to view the VM CPU and memory resource consumption.
    Device sections: Disks, Network interfaces, Host devices Navigate to the applicable device section to view, add, or change a virtual device configuration associated with the VM instance.
    For more information about these properties, see the following topics:
    Snapshots section Navigate to the Snapshot section to take a snapshot of the VM instance.

    The VM instance must be powered down to create a snapshot. For more information, see Create, Delete, or Revert a Snapshot of VM Instance.

    Shared directories section Navigate to the Shared directories section to view and manage shared host directories mounted to the VM instance.

    Click the question mark icon [?] for information on how to manually mount a shared directory. For more details, see Share a Host Directory with VM Instance.

    Note:

    If the VM guest installation fails, remove the VM instance and then create another instance.