How to use the command 'qm help' (with examples)

The qm help command is a valuable tool for users working with Proxmox Virtual Environment’s Qemu Manager (qm). This command is designed to provide users with assistance on how to use various qm commands. It allows users to access a brief description of command functionalities, parameters, and usage examples. This can be particularly useful for both novice users and seasoned administrators who require a quick refresher on command syntax or available options.

Use case 1: Display help for a specific command

Code:

qm help command

Motivation:

When managing virtual machines in a Proxmox environment, it is often necessary to use specific qm commands to create, modify, start, or stop a virtual machine. However, remembering the exact syntax and options for each command can be challenging, especially for users who do not use these commands frequently. The qm help command allows users to quickly access documentation about a specific command, thus minimizing the need to search external documentation or manuals. This capability empowers users to efficiently perform administrative tasks with confidence, knowing they have access to readily available guidance.

Explanation:

• qm: This is the program name, referring to the Qemu Manager within the Proxmox environment. It is used to manage virtual machines.
• help: This argument indicates the desire to access the help functionality. It tells the command line interface to display help information.
• command: This placeholder should be replaced by the specific command for which the user wants help. For example, if a user wants help with the create command, they would type qm help create.

Example output:

Usage: qm create <vmid> [OPTIONS]
Create a new Qemu instance. <vmid> is the unique virtual machine ID.

Options:
  -name <name>                 : Set the virtual machine name.
  -net<N> <model>             : Configure network device N.
  ...

This output provides a quick overview of how to use the create command, including a description and available options.

Use case 2: Display help for a specific command with detailed information

Code:

qm help command --verbose true

Motivation:

In certain cases, users may require more comprehensive information about a command in order to understand advanced options or troubleshoot potential issues. Detailed help documentation can offer insights beyond the basic usage, such as explanation of default values, dependencies between options, or even examples of typical use cases. Using the --verbose true flag with the qm help command offers a more robust view of the command’s capabilities and potential applications, which can be incredibly useful for advanced system configurations or when scripting for automation.

Explanation:

• qm: References the Qemu Manager program within Proxmox’s suite of tools.
• help: This refers to invoking the help feature for a command.
• command: The specific command for which the detailed help is requested.
• --verbose: This flag modifies the output of the help command to be more detailed. It is an optional argument that can be set to true or false.
• true: This value specifies that verbose output is desired. It tells the command to display more than the standard help message, providing expansive details and potentially more examples.

Example output:

Usage: qm create <vmid> [OPTIONS]
Create a new Qemu instance. <vmid> is the unique virtual machine ID.

Detailed options:
  -name <name>
    Description: Assigns a human-readable identifier to the virtual machine.
    Default Value: VM<ID>
    Example: -name win10vm

  -net<N> <model>
    Description: Sets up network device model.
    Dependencies: Requires a bridge configuration.
    Default Value: e1000
    ...

This output enriches the user with a deeper understanding of the command, flag defaults, possible uses, relationships between different command parameters, and practical use scenarios.

Conclusion:

The qm help command in the Proxmox environment is an indispensable resource for both quick reference and in-depth learning about Qemu Manager commands. Whether by using the standard qm help command or the more comprehensive qm help command --verbose true, users can gain access to valuable information that enhances their ability to efficiently and effectively manage virtual machines within Proxmox. These use cases illustrate the command’s flexibility and its crucial role in aiding users to execute their tasks with both precision and confidence.