[pve-devel] Feature idea: import cloud images as disks, or at VM creation

[Gilou]

Le 09/11/2021 à 03:03, Gilles Pietri a écrit :
> Hi,
> 
> There's something I'd like to add to the UI, but I'd like some input 
> from others, or at least know how useful it may sound.
> 
> I'd like to be able to import cloud image from distributions.
> 
> My idea would be to add a qemu template type (could be raw to start, but 
> really anything that can be imported using qemu-img could do), and use 
> those when needed.
> 
> It could be through an to import the disk on an existing VM, or at 
> creation: instead of choosing a CD-Rom, we'd chose a template to import 
> as the main disk, and the size chosen later on would be used to resize it.
> 
> What do you think? Is this dumb? Has anyone worked on such an idea?
> 
> I'm willing to start exploring adding a template type named Qemu 
> template or so, then working on using that to import a disk, then 
> improve the creation ui..

Hi,

This is an "old" email from 2021, but the need has risen again, so, 
well, let's talk about it, if anybody cares!

What to do?
- implement a QEMU disk template (next to ISO Images and Container 
templates?)
- make it so you can importdisk easily that to a VM? Attach it, set it 
as a bootdisk, resize it?
- add the option to do all that in the creation flow for a VM?
- offer to add a cloud-init disk directly?
- then maybe offer to set username/password/ssh key, or IP settings 
directly in the creation flow, as cloud-init data

We could even go as far as add in the template content handler a few 
"well-known" base images such as
https://cloud-images.ubuntu.com/
https://cloud.debian.org/images/cloud/

All that would make self service crazily improved when using Proxmox, 
allowing to provide a great experience, starting from "empty" to a 
running VM, allowing us to "duplicate" the cool CT experience in VMs!

Plus, the base is already there ;)
Or am I the only one seeing any interest int that?

Regards,

Gilou