Fields: Create New/Edit Image
Path: Administration > Image Management > New/Edit
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Image 6-1: Create New / Edit Image |
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Click to enlarge |
The Create New Image (or Edit Image) page lets you make specifications about the image you are creating or editing. You can specify the image name, type, OS type, status, provisioning details (for either xCAT or a custom provisioning manager), etc.
For an example on how to create images for the xCAT provisioning manager, see "Creating images in the Image Catalog" in the [xref suite docs].
Image details
Lets you specify the type of the image. You can choose one of the following:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Stateful |
Specifies that you want a stateful image. Stateful images are deployed with a distribution-specific installation mechanism (for example, Anaconda or Kickstart for RHEL, WIM or WinPE for Windows Server, AutoYAST for SLES, etc.). |
| Stateless |
Specifies that you want a stateless image. Stateless images are diskless images that boot from a network. When the machine boots, it downloads a compressed root image and expands it into memory; the machine continues booting from the contents of the image.
Stateless images will not allow for changes made to the machine's main filesystem to persist across reboots. |
|
Statelite |
Specifies that you want a statelite image. A statelite image boots with a layered filesystem consisting of a shared read-only portion and a guest-specific read-write portion. These two portions are combined using a union filesystem. |
| Linked Clone |
Specifies that you want a linked clone image. A linked clone image is a single disk image that serves as the basis for cloning. When the new machine is created, disks are made that are read-write layers on top of the original (rather than copies from the original disk). In this way, part of the disk presented to the guest is shared between all clones of the image, and part is individual to each clone. This type is much quicker than stateful provisioning. Choosing "Linked Clone" will enforce a "Virtual Machine" Machine Type
When you specify "Linked Clone" as the Type, a new field appears: Template Name. |
| Full Clone |
Specifies that you want a full clone image. A full clone image makes a full copy of the entire disk corresponding to the base image. Choosing "Full Clone" will enforce a "Virtual Machine" Machine Type
When you specify "Full Clone" as the Type, a new field appears: Template Name. |
Lets you specify a name used to identify the image VM template you want to use for the linked clone or full clone. This field is required.
The VM template name must be unique between image templates.
This field is hidden unless you specify "Linked Clone" or "Full Clone" as the image Type.
Image Name
Lets you specify the name (up to 150 characters) used to identify the image. This field is required.
The name you specify must contain no spaces, and must be unique between images.
OS type
Lets you specify the type of the operating system (for example, "linux" or "windows"). This field is required.
Tags
Lets you specify the set of features used by the provisioning manager. This list is comma-delimited.
Status
Lets you specify whether an image is active or inactive. Choose one of these options:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Active |
Specifies that the image is active and available for use. This is the default setting. |
| Inactive |
Specifies that the image is not active and should not be used.
If you mark an image as "Inactive," then all service templates that are currently using the image will also become inactive. |
Lets you specify whether or not the image can be used to provision a physical machine, virtual machine, or hypervisor.
You must select either VM or PM (or both) for every image you create/edit.
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Virtual Machine |
Specifies that you want the image to be able to provision a virtual machine. (An image can be both a virtual machine and a physical machine.)
This option is automatically enforced when you specify "Linked Clone" or "Full Clone" as the Type. |
| Physical Machine |
Specifies that you want the image to be able to provision physical machine. (An image can be both a virtual machine and a physical machine.)
This option is automatically enforced when you specify "Hypervisor." |
| Hypervisor |
Specifies that you want the image to be a hypervisor that contains other virtual machine images. If you select "Hypervisor," the "Physical Machine" option will be enforced. Viewpoint will not allow a hypervisor that is not a physical machine.
When you specify "Hypervisor," a new field appears: Virtualized Images. |
Lets you specify which virtualized images you want to add to your hypervisor.
This field will not appear unless you specify "Hypervisor" as the Machine Type.
This field is a drop-down that contains all the virtual machine images in your catalog. To add one to the hypervisor, select the image you want and click Add (
). To remove a virtualized image, click the Remove icon (
).
Provisioning details
Provisioning manager
Lets you specify if you want to use xCAT as your provisioning manager, or if you want to use a custom provisioner (with your own custom attributes). Choose one of these options:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| xCAT |
Specifies that you want to use xCAT as your provisioning manager. Selecting this option will cause several pre-determined attributes to appear on the form. However, you can still add your own custom attributes, if you wish (for details, see Custom attributes). This option is the default option. |
| Custom |
Specifies that you want to use your own custom provisioning manager. Selecting this option allows you to name your custom provisioner (see Provisioner name), and to define your own custom attributes (see Custom attributes).
If you select "Custom," you must specify at least one Custom attributes field. |
Lets you specify a text name for your custom provisioning manager. This field is required when you specify Custom as the provisioning manager.
Operating system
Lets you specify the name of the operating system according to xCAT. This field is required.
Architecture
Lets you specify the xCAT architecture (for example, "x86_64"). This field is required.
Profile
Lets you specify the xCAT profile you want to use for the image. This field is required.
Hypervisor group name
Lets you specify the name of the xCAT hypervisor group. This field is required when the Machine Type is "Hypervisor."
VM group name
Lets you specify the name of the xCAT VM group. This field is required when the Machine Type is "Hypervisor."
Lets you define and add any custom attributes to your image provisioning manager. For example, you may want to add a "Comment" attribute and add helpful text comments as the attribute value.
This field contains two text boxes for each custom attribute you add:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Specifies the name of the custom attribute. |
| Value | Specifies the value of the custom attribute. |
To add a custom attribute click Add (), and specify values for the Name and Value boxes. To remove a custom attribute, click the Remove icon ().
Save
Lets you save the specifications of your new or modified image.
Cancel
Cancels your action to add/edit the image, and takes you back to the Image Management page.
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