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

The command qm template is a critical feature in Proxmox Virtual Environment (PVE) that allows users to transform an existing virtual machine (VM) into a template. This template can serve as a foundational blueprint for creating multiple VMs with identical configurations. Leveraging VM templates can greatly streamline the deployment process of new VMs by ensuring consistency and reducing manual setup time.

Use case: Create a template out of a specific virtual machine

Code:

qm template 101

Motivation:

In environments where multiple virtual machines with identical configurations are needed, creating each VM from scratch can be time-consuming and error-prone. By converting a virtual machine into a template, administrators can ensure uniformity and reliability across all newly deployed VMs. Templates act as a standardized starting point, which is particularly useful in development, testing, and production environments where there is a need to deploy similar environments quickly and efficiently. By using the qm template command, you simplify the VM provisioning process and eliminate inconsistencies across deployments.

Explanation:

• qm: This is the command-line tool provided by Proxmox to manage virtual machines. It encompasses various functionalities, including creating VMs, managing their states, and, as demonstrated here, template configuration.

• template: This argument of the qm command signifies that you want to perform an action related to creating a VM template. This specific command turns the designated virtual machine into a reusable template artifact.

• 101: This is the VM ID, a unique identifier assigned to the virtual machine you wish to convert into a template. VM IDs are used within Proxmox to reference specific virtual machines, allowing users to perform operations on them, such as starting, stopping, or transforming them into templates.

Example output:

When you execute the command, you might not receive a verbose output indicating success. But the expected outcome is that the specified virtual machine (VM ID 101 in this case) becomes a template, and this would be reflected in the Proxmox web interface. You should see ‘VM 101’ now labeled as a template, and you will be able to use it as a source image for creating new VMs, indicated by a change in the status or type icon.

Conclusion:

The command qm template is a valuable tool in the Proxmox Virtual Environment that streamlines the process of VM deployment by allowing administrators to create and use templates. This process not only reduces deployment time but also ensures consistency across virtual machines, which is essential for maintaining stable and predictable environments. By providing the ability to quickly spin up new virtual machines using a template, Proxmox makes environment management more efficient and less error-prone.