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Creating a virtual machine with XenCenter

Creating a virtual machine with XenCenter

Before you begin

Before you begin, review the following prerequisites:

  • New ranges of portable IP addresses (public and private) that are routed as "Secondary on VLAN". This example solution to the setup of a new VM requires that you have usable IPs available on the Private Network.
  • Ability to connect to the IBM Cloud® Private Network through the VPN. For more information about VPN access, see Getting started with IBM Cloud Virtual Private Networking.
  • Citrix XenCenter is installed to your local system.

Your server is pre-configured with various of templates to help you start using XenServer quickly.

Creating a virtual machine with XenCenter

Use the following steps to help you create a virtual machine with XenCenter.

  1. Make sure that you are connected to the IBM Cloud Private Network through the VPN. Establish a connection through SSL VPN or PPTP.

  2. Open XenCenter and click "Add your XenServer".

  3. Enter your server host name, your user name, and your password. You need to use your server's Private IP address (looks like 10.x.x.x), the user name root, then your server's root password. This information is available in the IBM Cloud infrastructure customer portal by going to your Devices then clicking the name of your XenServer. Click Connect.

  4. If you receive a Free License activation screen, complete this information now.

  5. Right-click your IBM Cloud name and select New VM....

  6. Select the operating system that you want to use for the new virtual machine and then click Next.

    Some templates require that you provide your own media.

  7. Enter an appropriate name and description for the new virtual machine.

  8. Enter the location of the guest operating system installation media and click Next.

    • A trailing ‘/’ at the end of the URL can sometimes break the installation.
    • This mirror is available only on the IBM Cloud Private Network.
  9. Select the number of CPUs and amount of memory allocation. (You are building a streamlined system and you do not need too much RAM. So, 512 MB is more than enough.). Click Next.

  10. Select your virtual disks to allocate disk space to your VM. The default size is 8 GB for this template. This amount is more than enough for the server that you are building. Optional: You can make the disk larger to suit your needs by highlighting the disk and clicking Edit.... Click Next.

  11. Add or remove virtual network interfaces for the virtual machine. The defaults are acceptable, unless you do not want your system to be able to communicate on the Private Network. Click Next.

  12. The configuration is complete. Leave "Start VM automatically" selected and click Finish. The installation begins. You return to the main screen. You can see the new VM listed on the left.

  13. Select your new VM and click the Console tab.

  14. Select eth0 - xen Virtual Ethernet and click OK.

  15. Make sure that you have the information ready to configure TCP/IP. You need to manually configure the interface with IPV4 support and disable IPV6 support.

  16. Confirm that you are aware of how to use your Private IP Subnet (10.17.37.240/29) and click OK. You and your system administrator can install the guest operating system according to your company guidelines. For more informatin about static and portable IP blocks, see Getting started with subnets and IPs.

You created a new VM.