Manage instance templates in datacenters

An Abiquo instance is a template that uses copies of one or more disks from a VM. For information about how to create instances, see Manage Virtual Machines#SaveVMdiskstocreateaninstancetemplate

In a datacenter, the platform stores an instance with the original master template. This means that you cannot delete a master template if it has instances. However, you can promote an instance to a master template.

The platform identifies master templates with the "M" symbol on the template icon and instances with the "S" symbol on the template icon.

To display the instances under a master template:

Click on the master template and the Instances panel will open with the instance templates.

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You can modify the instance template, to change the CPU, RAM, icon, and so on, and these changes will not affect the master template.

Promote an Instance to a Master Template

When you promote an instance, Abiquo first makes a copy of the instance and then promotes it to create a new master template. This is useful when you want to delete a master template but keep its instance template(s).

This feature is available in the API. See https://wiki.abiquo.com/api/latest/VirtualMachineTemplatesResource.html#create-a-virtual-machine-template-in-a-datacenter-repository-by-download-promote-or-export

To promote an instance:

Select the original master template to display its instances
Select the instance, and from its options menu, select Promote to master
Enter a Name for the new master template. Select the disks to promote
- Remember that there must always be at least one disk and that the disk at position 0 must be a boot disk.
- The name should help users to identify this template among the other templates

The platform will display the completed template in the Apps library view and you can edit it as required

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From the instance template's options menu, select Promote to master

Enter a Name to identify the template

The platform displays the promoted instance in the main section of the Apps library

Manage Instances of Deleted Templates

You cannot delete a master template if it has VMs deployed or instances with VMs deployed, but you can make it unavailable, which deletes the template disk file. If a master template is unavailable, to display it and access the instances panel, select the checkbox to display Deleted VM templates. If you wish to create a VM from an instance of a deleted master template, first promote the instance to a master template.

Make an Instance Template Unavailable

When you try to delete an instance that is in use in a VM (deployed or undeployed), the platform will only allow you to make it unavailable, which means that the platform will delete the disk file. Users cannot create or deploy VMs with an instance that is unavailable. After you confirm the delete, the platform will display a list of VMs using the template. Click Yes to force the delete of the instance disk file.

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Confirm that you would like to delete the instance template

To display the unavailable instance:

Select the filter to display Deleted VM templates
Select the master template

You cannot force the delete of an instance if it is in use in a VM.
If you try to delete an unavailable instance, an error popup will appear because the template is already unavailable.
To make the instance available again, replace the unavailable template files on the file system. When it detects the template files, the platform will mark the instance as available.

Delete Failed Instances

Failed instances may occur if there is a connection error between the platform and the VM disks. Failed instances are marked with the failed template icon.

To remove a failed instance template:

Select the template
From the options menu, select Delete