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Managing virtual machine instances

If you have standalone virtual machine instances (VMIs) that were created independently outside of the OpenShift Virtualization environment, you can manage them by using the web console or by using oc or virtctl commands from the command-line interface (CLI).

The virtctl command provides more virtualization options than the oc command. For example, you can use virtctl to pause a VM or expose a port.

About virtual machine instances

A virtual machine instance (VMI) is a representation of a running virtual machine (VM). When a VMI is owned by a VM or by another object, you manage it through its owner in the web console or by using the oc command-line interface (CLI).

A standalone VMI is created and started independently with a script, through automation, or by using other methods in the CLI. In your environment, you might have standalone VMIs that were developed and started outside of the OpenShift Virtualization environment. You can continue to manage those standalone VMIs by using the CLI. You can also use the web console for specific tasks associated with standalone VMIs:

  • List standalone VMIs and their details.

  • Edit labels and annotations for a standalone VMI.

  • Delete a standalone VMI.

When you delete a VM, the associated VMI is automatically deleted. You delete a standalone VMI directly because it is not owned by VMs or other objects.

Before you uninstall OpenShift Virtualization, list and view the standalone VMIs by using the CLI or the web console. Then, delete any outstanding VMIs.

Listing all virtual machine instances using the CLI

You can list all virtual machine instances (VMIs) in your cluster, including standalone VMIs and those owned by virtual machines, by using the oc command-line interface (CLI).

Procedure

  • List all VMIs by running the following command:

    $ oc get vmis

Listing standalone virtual machine instances using the web console

Using the web console, you can list and view standalone virtual machine instances (VMIs) in your cluster that are not owned by virtual machines (VMs).

VMIs that are owned by VMs or other objects are not displayed in the web console. The web console displays only standalone VMIs. If you want to list all VMIs in your cluster, you must use the CLI.
Procedure

  • Click Workloads → Virtualization from the side menu. A list of VMs and standalone VMIs displays. You can identify standalone VMIs by the dark colored badges that display next to the virtual machine instance names.

Editing a standalone virtual machine instance using the web console

You can edit annotations and labels for a standalone virtual machine instance (VMI) using the web console. Other items displayed in the Details page for a standalone VMI are not editable.

Procedure

  1. Click Workloads → Virtualization from the side menu. A list of virtual machines (VMs) and standalone VMIs displays.

  2. Click the name of a standalone VMI to open the Virtual Machine Instance Overview screen.

  3. Click the Details tab.

  4. Click the pencil icon that is located on the right side of Annotations.

  5. Make the relevant changes and click Save.

To edit labels for a standalone VMI, click Actions and select Edit Labels. Make the relevant changes and click Save.

Deleting a standalone virtual machine instance using the CLI

You can delete a standalone virtual machine instance (VMI) by using the oc command-line interface (CLI).

Prerequisites

  • Identify the name of the VMI that you want to delete.

Procedure

  • Delete the VMI by running the following command:

    $ oc delete vmi <vmi_name>

Deleting a standalone virtual machine instance using the web console

Delete a standalone virtual machine instance (VMI) from the web console.

Procedure

  1. In the OpenShift Container Platform web console, click Workloads → Virtualization from the side menu.

  2. Click the ⋮ button of the standalone virtual machine instance (VMI) that you want to delete and select Delete Virtual Machine Instance.

    • Alternatively, click the name of the standalone VMI. The Virtual Machine Instance Overview page displays.

  3. Select Actions → Delete Virtual Machine Instance.

  4. In the confirmation pop-up window, click Delete to permanently delete the standalone VMI.