Custom Installation Mode

To create a custom virtual machine:

1. Start Parallels Management Console and launch New Virtual Machine Wizard by choosing New Virtual Machine from the File menu.
2. In the Introduction window, click Next to proceed with the virtual machine creation.
3. In the Select Operating System Type and Version window, select the guest OS you plan to install inside your virtual machine and click Next .
4. In the Virtual Machine Type window, select Custom and click Next .
5. In the CPU and Memory Options window, specify the number of CPU(s) and the amount of RAM for the virtual machine and click Next . You may use the slider or arrow buttons to set the value or simply type it into the corresponding field.

   

6. In the Hard Disk Options window, select the type of virtual hard disk you want to use and click Next . You can create a new hard disk image, use an existing one, or create a virtual machine without any hard disk at all. You may need a virtual machine without a hard disk to work with live CDs/DVDs (CDs or DVDs containing a bootable operating system).

   

7. If you have selected the No hard disk option, go to Step 8.

   If you chose to create a new virtual hard disk in the previous step, in the New Virtual Hard Disk window, specify the capacity and type for the disk and click Next . If you have chosen to use an existing image file, in the Existing Virtual Hard Disk window, specify the hard disk image to be connected, its interface type and position. Click Next .

   

8. In the Networking Type window, select the type of networking you want to use in the virtual machine and click Next .
   • Virtual Network . If you select this option, the virtual machine will be connected to one of the virtual networks available to the Parallels physical server.
   • Direct Assignment (using Intel VT-d) . If you select this option, the virtual machine will be able to access the local network and Internet through a PCIe network adapter. This option is available only if you have a PCIe network adapter and the Intel VT-d technology is enabled in the Parallels physical server.
   • No Networking . If you select this option, the virtual machine will have no network adapter.

     Note: You may reconfigure the networking settings after the virtual machine is created, using the Virtual Machine Configuration dialog .

9. If you selected the Virtual Network option, in the next step you will need to select the virtual network to which the virtual machine network adapter will be connected.

   If you selected the Direct Assignment (using Intel VT-d) option, in the next step select the PCIe network adapter you want to use. Before using the PCIe adapter in your virtual machine, you will need to assign it to your virtual machines in the Intel VT-d pane of the Server Settings dialog and install the manufacturer's driver for this PCIe device inside the virtual machine. The driver should support the Intel VT-d technology.

10. In the Optimization Options window, select the optimization mode you prefer and click Next . The available options are:
    • Virtual machine (Recommended) . Select this option to allocate more host computer resources to the virtual machine and its applications.
    • Host Computer . Select this option to allocate more resources to the host computer and its applications.
11. In the Name and Location window, define the name and location for your virtual machine:
    • Name . Indicate an arbitrary name to be assigned to the virtual machine. By default, the virtual machine gets the same name as the operating system that will be installed inside this virtual machine. If a virtual machine with such a name already exists, you will be prompted to indicate another name. The name must not exceed 50 characters.
    • Location . Use the Choose button if you want to change the default location of the virtual machine-related files.

    

    Click Create .

12. When the virtual machine is created, in the Prepare to Install Operating System window, specify the source of installation files and click Start .

    The installation source can be located on the host computer or on the client computer. Choose the installation source from the Placement menu.

    You can use the following types of installation media:

    • Real CD/DVD-ROM Drive . Select this option to use a disc inserted into the CD/DVD drive of the computer. Choose the drive to use from the Drive list.
    • CD/DVD Image . Select this option to use a CD/DVD disc image connected to the virtual machine's CD/DVD drive. Type the path to the file in the File field or use the Choose button to locate the file.

      Note: Parallels Management Console does not provide users with OS ISO images or OS installation discs. You should purchase an OS installation disc or an OS ISO image if you do not have any.

    

    If you do not want to install the guest OS and start the virtual machine now, click Done .

When the installation is complete, install Parallels Tools if they are available for the guest OS you just installed. Refer to the Installing Parallels Tools section .