Linux VM Deployment from Orchestrator Using a VMM Template

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I had to capture this in a blog as soon as possible so this article might be rough. I just successfully deployed a Linux VM from a VMM Template using an Orchestrator Runbook. This might sound simple, but I couldn’t find help online as Microsoft’s documentation lacks some important details.

I’ll document how to setup the Linux VMM Template in another post. For now I’ll just cover the Orchestrator Runbook. For the Orchestrator VMM Activities I’m using the SC 2012 Virtual Machine Manager integration pack.

  1. Create a new Runbook in Orchestrator
  2. Add the Initialize Data (from Runbook Control) and Create VM From Template (from SC 2012 Virtual Machine Manager) activities.
  3. To the Initialize Data activity, add the following parameters:
    1. destinationType (Host|Cloud)
    2. destinationHost (FQDN)
    3. vmName
  4. Within the Create VM From Template activity: If your SC 2012 Virtual Machine Manager integration pack is configured correctly (pointed to the service), open the Create VM From Template activity and select the correct VMM Configuration. Fill out the activity as follows:
    1. Destination Type: Select destinationType (Host|Cloud) from the databus.
    2. Destination: Select destinationHost (FQDN) from the databus.
    3. Path: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\windows\hyper-v\Virtual Machines\
    4. VM Name: Select vmName from the databus.
    5. Source Template Name: Select the Linux VM Template from the VMM Library.
    6. Cloud Capability Profile: Select appropriately.
    7. Click on Optional Properties and add and fill out the following: Computer Name, Guest OS Profile, Hardware Profile, Linux Administrator SSH Key File, Linux Domain Name, Operating System, Start Action, Stop Action, Time Zone.
  5. That should do it. Run the Runbook and note any errors. Add additional activities to the Runbook, such as Get VM and Start VM to complete the Runbook.

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