How to Add Networking Components to a Service Template

Updated: May 13, 2016

Applies To: System Center 2012 SP1 - Virtual Machine Manager, System Center 2012 R2 Virtual Machine Manager, System Center 2012 - Virtual Machine Manager

In Virtual Machine Manager (VMM), a service is a set of virtual machines that are configured and deployed together and are managed as a single entity—for example, a deployment of a multi-tier line-of-business application. To prepare to deploy a service, you can add the following networking components to a service template:

• A network. With VMM in System Center 2012, you can add a logical network. Starting with VMM in System Center 2012 Service Pack 1 (SP1), you can add a VM network (not a logical network).

• A load balancer.

  For information about adding a load balancer to a service template, see the following topics:

  • How to Configure a Hardware Load Balancer for a Service Tier

  • How to Configure NLB for a Service Tier

    Note that in service tiers running Linux, or with VM networks configured with network virtualization, you cannot use Microsoft Network Load Balancing (NLB). If load balancing is needed for such networks, use hardware load balancing, described in the first item in this list.

  • How to Determine the Virtual IP Address for a Service

To add a network to a service template

1. In the Service Template Designer, on the Home tab, in the Service Template Components group, click Add VM Network (with System Center 2012, click Add Logical Network). An element representing the network is added to the canvas.

2. Select the network element on the canvas, and then in the properties pane at the bottom of the Service Template Designer window, select the appropriate network from the Network list.

3. To connect the network to the network adapter of a tier, on the Home tab, in the Tools group, click Connector. Then on the canvas, drag from the new network element to the network adapter element of the tier. A connecting line will appear to join the two elements.