Virtual machine self-service enables the Virtual Machine Manager (VMM) administrator to grant users permission to create and operate their own virtual machines within a controlled environment on a limited group of virtual machine hosts. The VMM administrator creates self-service user roles which determine the scope of the users' actions on their own virtual machines. For more information, see How to Create a Self-Service User Role.

To create, operate, and manage their virtual machines, self-service users use the Virtual Machine Manager Self-Service Portal. This Web site provides a controlled environment for users in the self-service user role. For more information, see About the VMM Self-Service Portal.

The administrator determines which host groups self-service users can create virtual machines on. When a self-service user creates a virtual machine, the virtual machine is automatically placed on the most suitable host in the host group based on host ratings. For more information, see About Virtual Machine Placement.

Active Directory users or groups can be added to self-service user roles. The permissions granted to the user role apply to all members of the user group whether they are individuals or groups. Virtual machine owners can be individual users or groups. Under individual ownership, an individual owns, operates, and manages their own virtual machines. Under group ownership, virtual machines are owned, operated, and managed by the group.

You can set a virtual machine quota in a self-service user role to limit the number of virtual machines that a user or group can deploy. Quota points are assigned to the templates that self-service users use to create their virtual machines. Quota points apply only to virtual machines on a host. If a self-service user is allowed to store virtual machines, the quota does not apply to virtual machines stored in the library. When the self-service user's quota is reached, the user cannot create any new virtual machines until an existing virtual machine is removed or stored. For more information, see Working with Virtual Machine Templates.

See Also


For the most up-to-date Help information, go to the Virtual Machine Manager 2008 Help Online. To find additional Virtual Machine Manager 2008 documentation, go to the Virtual Machine Manager 2008 TechCenter Library.