// Module included in the following assemblies:
//
// * virt/virtual_machines/creating_vms_custom/virt-creating-vms-uploading-images.adoc

:_mod-docs-content-type: PROCEDURE
[id="virt-generalizing-linux-vm-image_{context}"]
= Generalizing a VM image

You can generalize a {op-system-base-full} image to remove all system-specific configuration data before you use the image to create a golden image, a preconfigured snapshot of a virtual machine (VM). You can use a golden image to deploy new VMs.

You can generalize a {op-system-base} VM by using the `virtctl`, `guestfs`, and `virt-sysprep` tools.

.Prerequisites

* You have a {op-system-base} virtual machine (VM) to use as a base VM.
* You have installed the OpenShift CLI (`oc`).
* You have installed the `virtctl` tool.

.Procedure

. Stop the {op-system-base} VM if it is running, by entering the following command:
+
[source,terminal]
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$ virtctl stop <my_vm_name>
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. Optional: Clone the virtual machine to avoid losing the data from your original VM. You can then generalize the cloned VM.

. Retrieve the `dataVolume` that stores the root filesystem for the VM by running the following command:
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[source,terminal]
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$ oc get vm <my_vm_name> -o jsonpath="{.spec.template.spec.volumes}{'\n'}"
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.Example output
[source,terminal]
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[{"dataVolume":{"name":"<my_vm_volume>"},"name":"rootdisk"},{"cloudInitNoCloud":{...}]
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. Retrieve the persistent volume claim (PVC) that matches the listed `dataVolume` by running the followimg command:
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[source,terminal]
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$ oc get pvc
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.Example output
[source,terminal]
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NAME            STATUS   VOLUME  CAPACITY   ACCESS MODES  STORAGECLASS     AGE
<my_vm_volume> Bound  …
----
+
[NOTE]
====
If your cluster configuration does not enable you to clone a VM, to avoid losing the data from your original VM, you can clone the VM PVC to a data volume instead. You can then use the cloned PVC to create a golden image.

If you are creating a golden image by cloning a PVC, continue with the next steps, using the cloned PVC.
====

. Deploy a new interactive container with `libguestfs-tools` and attach the PVC to it by running the following command:
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[source,terminal]
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$ virtctl guestfs <my-vm-volume> --uid 107
----
+
This command opens a shell for you to run the next command.

. Remove all configurations specific to your system by running the following command:
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[source,terminal]
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$ virt-sysprep -a disk.img
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. In the {product-title} console, click *Virtualization* -> *Catalog*.

. Click *Add volume*.

. In the *Add volume* window:

.. From the *Source type* list, select *Use existing Volume*.

.. From the *Volume project* list, select your project. 

.. From the *Volume name* list, select the correct PVC.

.. In the *Volume name* field, enter a name for the new golden image.

.. From the *Preference* list, select the {op-system-base} version you are using.

.. From the *Default Instance Type* list, select the instance type with the correct CPU and memory requirements for the version of {op-system-base} you selected previously.

.. Click *Save*.

The new volume appears in the *Select volume to boot from* list. This is your new golden image. You can use this volume to create new VMs.