diff --git a/content/docs/compute/create-an-instance.md b/content/docs/compute/create-an-instance.md index daeb3b6..fff7768 100644 --- a/content/docs/compute/create-an-instance.md +++ b/content/docs/compute/create-an-instance.md @@ -77,6 +77,8 @@ As the price charged increases with instance size, consider the type of work you The base operating system image to use for the instance. Note that you can select from a number of versions of each operating system. +For the option of creating Windows instances, please refer to [Windows disk images documentation](./windows-disk-images.md). + Custom operating system disk images can be enabled on [CivoStack Enterprise](https://www.civo.com/civostack-enterprise) regions. For more information on creating and managing custom disk images, refer to the [custom image](./custom-image.md) documentation. ### 5. Initial user diff --git a/content/docs/compute/images/windows-initialisation-script.png b/content/docs/compute/images/windows-initialisation-script.png new file mode 100644 index 0000000..25e05a7 Binary files /dev/null and b/content/docs/compute/images/windows-initialisation-script.png differ diff --git a/content/docs/compute/images/windows-os-selection.png b/content/docs/compute/images/windows-os-selection.png new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6e8a43b Binary files /dev/null and b/content/docs/compute/images/windows-os-selection.png differ diff --git a/content/docs/compute/windows-disk-images.md b/content/docs/compute/windows-disk-images.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8e65496 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/docs/compute/windows-disk-images.md @@ -0,0 +1,54 @@ +--- +sidebar_position: 11 +title: Windows disk images +description: Learn how to create and manage Compute instances on Civo running Windows. +--- + + + Compute Instances Running Windows | Civo Documentation + + +import Tabs from '@theme/Tabs'; +import TabItem from '@theme/TabItem'; + +:::note +Windows images for compute instances are available in the Civo Public Cloud and CivoStack Enterprise regions by request and need to be enabled on your account. Please see the [legal disclaimer](./windows-disk-images.md#legal-disclaimer) section below. +::: + +## Creating a Windows instance + +Once enabled, the option of using a Windows disk image will be available for customers on the Civo dashboard on the instance creation pages. + +![Windows disk image selector](./images/windows-os-selection.png) + +The Civo provided Microsoft Windows Server 2022 Standard edition images are regularly rebuilt with the latest available Windows updates. Once an instance is deployed, keeping up with any further updates are a customer responsibility. + +## Automation during instance creation + +A set of PowerShell commands can be specified in the *Initialisation Script* section of the instance creation screen, which will be executed during the initial instance creation (on the first boot only). + +![Initialisation script section](./images/windows-initialisation-script.png) + +## Known issues + +### Windows Bitlocker support + +Civo does not currently support the use of the Bitlocker feature, and any use of Bitlocker will require the recovery key to be entered on each reboot. + +While Windows VMs have a TPM presented, this TPM is NOT persistent. The non-persistent TPM allows the use of SecureBoot; however it does not support the use of Windows Bitlocker (disk encryption). If Windows Bitlocker is enabled using the TPM, then the Bitlocker recovery key will need to be manually entered when the VM is cold booted. + +### Windows Sysprep CD + +The Windows Sysprep CD remains mapped to the instance following its initial configuration. The `unattend.xml` file located on the sysprep CD includes the initial administrator password, and so customers are recommended to change this initial password once the instance is successfully running. + +### Remote Desktop + +Windows Remote Desktop Services are enabled; this is to allow customers to remotely access their virtual machines, but can also be viewed as a security risk. The Civo [Firewall](../networking/firewalls.md) can be used to restrict access to the remote desktop service when a virtual machine instance has a public IP address assigned. + +### Hostname length + +Windows has a `computerName` length limitation of 15 characters, and can't be a fully qualified name given full stop characters (`.`) aren't allowed. The Windows `computeName` is set as the first 15 characters of the Civo instance name - for example, a Windows instance created with the instance name `verylongwindowsservername` will be configured as `verylongwindows`, but continue to show the long instance name on the Civo portal, CLI, in Civo API responses, and the like. + +## Legal Disclaimer + +Civo is providing this feature as an Authorised Outsourcer under the Microsoft Flexible Virtualisation Benefit. Licensing compliance is your responsibility and Bring Your Own Licence is required. Before deployment, please verify that your licenses are eligible for the Flexible Virtualisation Benefit. \ No newline at end of file