Define the Virtual Machine Template for Azure®

Use Table Management in the CSM Desktop Client to define the Azure® virtual machine template, if necessary. The template is used to communicate parameters and their corresponding values between CSM and Azure®. CSM provides a standard demo template, but you can use an alternative template, if necessary. Additional templates are available on GitHub (https://github.com/Azure/azure-quickstart-templates).

When you create a Service Request for a virtual machine (either in the CSM Desktop Client or via the Customer Portal) and select the VM Request Ready check box, an Automation Process is initiated; the Automation process includes a One-Step that replaces the parameters with values specific to the Service Request and then initiates the virtual machine build process.

This functionality is only available if you have applied the Orchestration Pack for Microsoft® Azure®. For more information, refer to the mApp Solution Tech Notes documentation.

To define the Azure® virtual machine template:

  1. In the CSM Desktop Client, open the Table Management interface (Tools>Table Management).
  2. In the Type drop-down, select VM Template.
  3. In the Grid, double-click Standard VM.

    The Virtual Machine Template form opens.

    Standard VM Form

    1. Define the basic details:
      1. Template Name: Do not edit.
      2. Available on Portal: Select whether or not the Standard VM option is available on the Portal.

        At least one template must be available on the Customer Portal. Customers will not be able to submit the request for a virtual machine if the template is not selected.

      3. Template Description: Edit the template description by adding additional details.
    2. Define the template JSON, if necessary:
      1. Download a template. Templates are available on GitHub (https://github.com/Azure/azure-quickstart-templates).
      2. In the Template JSON field, paste the JSON.
      3. In the Parameters block of the Template JSON field, replace the new parameters with the generic parameters from the standard demo template.

        The generic parameters are required for the Create VM Request One-Step™ Action to function properly. If the alternative template uses additional options, the corresponding parameter values must be added to the One-Step Action (Incident association>Blueprint>Create VM Request).

  4. Close the Table Management interface.