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VM Specification

You can create and manage customization specifications for Windows and Linux VM operating systems. VM specifications are files that contain VM operating system settings.

When you apply a VM specification during batch VM deployments from the template, you can prevent potential conflicts such as duplicated VM hostnames or SIDs.

Create a Windows VM Specification

Save specific Windows VM operating system settings in a customization specification, such as how the virtual machine participate in the network and hostname configuration.

Before you begin

The following operating system versions support customization specification for virtual machines:
  • Windows Server 2012
  • Windows Server 2016
  • Windows Server 2019
  • Windows Server 2022
  • Windows Server 2025
  • Windows 10 Pro

Procedure

  1. In the navigation pane, choose Inventory > VM and Host.
  2. Select the root node.
  3. On the details page of the root node, click VM Specification.
  4. On the VM Specification tab, click New VM Specification.
  5. In the New VM Specification dialog, set the following parameters:
    • Name: Enter a name for the VM specification.
    • Description: Enter a brief description for the VM specification.
    • Target VM OS: Select Windows.
    • Workgroup or Domain: Select how the virtual machine participates in the network. Options include workgroup and Windows domain server.
      • For workgroup, you need to specify the workgroup name and choose whether to generate a new SID.
        Note: The workgroup name must 1 to 15 characters in length and can contain letters, numbers, underscores (_), dots (.), and hyphens (-). The workgroup name cannot be all numbers.
      • For Windows domain server, you need to configure the domain name, domain username, domain password, OU, and choose whether to generate a new SID.
        Note:
        • The domain name must be 1 to 26 characters in length and can contain letters, numbers, underscores (_), dots (.), and hyphens (-).
        • The domain username must 1 to 15 characters in length and can contain letters, numbers, underscores (_), dots (.), and hyphens (-). The domain username cannot be all numbers.
        • OU example: OU=MyOU,DC=MyDom,DC=MyCompany,DC=com
    • Hostname Configuration: Select how to configure a VM hostname. Options include using the VM name and entering a name.
      Note:
      • When you use the virtual machine name as the hostname, the Windows VM name will be truncated if it exceeds 15 characters.
      • The following rules apply for specifying a Windows hostname:
        • Length: 2 to 15 characters.
        • Allowed characters: Uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens (-).
        • No consecutive hyphens. You cannot start or end with a hyphen. The hostname cannot be all numbers.
      • When creating multiple VMs at once, a suffix (-1, -2, -3, etc.) is automatically appended to ensure uniqueness.
    • Administrator Password: Set a administrator password.
      Note: The password must be 8 to 16 characters in length and contain at least two of the following: lowercase letters, uppercase letters, numbers, or special characters.
    • Confirm Password: Confirm the password by typing it again.
  6. Review the configuration and click OK.

Create a Linux VM Specification

Save specific Linux VM operating system settings in a customization specification, such as the hostname configuration.

Procedure

  1. In the navigation pane, choose Inventory > VM and Host.
  2. Select the root node.
  3. On the details page of the root node, click VM Specification.
  4. On the VM Specification tab, click New VM Specification.
  5. In the New VM Specification dialog, set the following parameters:
    • Name: Enter a name for the VM specification.
    • Description: Enter a brief description for the VM specification.
    • Target VM OS: Select Linux.
    • Hostname Configuration: Select how to configure a VM hostname. Options include using the VM name and entering a name.
      Note:
      • When you use the virtual machine name as the hostname, the Linux VM name will be truncated if it exceeds 60 characters.
      • The following rules apply for specifying a Linux hostname:
        • Length: 2 to 60 characters.
        • Allowed characters: Uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens (-).
        • No consecutive hyphens. You cannot start or end with a hyphen.
      • When creating multiple VMs at once, a suffix (-1, -2, -3, etc.) is automatically appended to ensure uniqueness.
    • Administrator Password: Set a administrator password.
      Note: The password must be 8 to 16 characters in length and contain at least two of the following: lowercase letters, uppercase letters, numbers, or special characters.
    • Confirm Password: Confirm the password by typing it again.
  6. Review the configuration and click OK.

Manage VM Specifications

Procedure

  1. In the navigation pane, choose Inventory > VM and Host.
  2. Select the root node.
  3. On the details page of the root node, click VM Specification.
  4. On the VM Specification tab, select a target VM specification.
    • Click Actions > Edit Name and Description to modify the name and description of the VM specification.
    • Click Actions > Modify Configuration to modify how the virtual machine participates in network, hostname configuration, and administrator password.
    • Click Actions > Delete to delete a VM specification.
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