One way to create lab specifications is to create images directly in the public cloud (say, AWS) and provide the ID of the image to Strigo.
However, Strigo also allows you to create images directly in Strigo.
How does it work?
The general process is:
Starting with a base image - it can be one of Strigo's pre-defined images or a custom image you already have.
Create a Strigo lab based on that image.
Install and configure the VM.
Use Strigo to create an image out of this VM.
Use the newly created image in your class templates.
Notes
If you use one of Strigo's pre-defined images as a starting point, notice that the image you will save at the end:
Will be in Strigo's default region (eu-west-1).
Will require the default username:
For Windows VMs: Administrator
For Linux VMs: follow this guide.
If you use your own custom image as a starting point, the image you will save at the end will be in the same region and will have the same default username and your base image.
Strigo's image creation process does not currently allow you to control the size of the disk and other storage properties (such as IOPS). If you have specific storage requirements, please contact us through the chat widget or at info@strigo.io.
Steps to create an image in Strigo
Create a Class template.
Under "Practice lab" click "Add resource".
Select the "Virtual machine" type.
Notice: if you don't have a selection at this step, it means the default type for your account is already "Virtual machine".Click the button under the "Image" column.
Select a base image to work with - a pre-defined Linux or Windows machine, or a custom image you already have.
Set a "Display name" to the resource - it can be anything.
Save the class template.
Click the "Create image" button at the top right of the class template.
A new window will open with a dummy live event page, in which you will be able to access a VM and set it up to your liking.
Click the "Start event" button.
At the navigation bar to the left, go to the "My lab" section:
Wait for the lab VM to be ready.
Install and prepare the VM to your liking. Test your software and see that everything works fine.
When you're done, click the Settings menu icon at the top bar, then click on the "Create image from this machine" menu option:
Wait for the image creation process to complete. It may take several minutes.
When the process is complete, you will see the ID of the newly created image at the bottom:
Copy the image ID.
You can now use this image. You can go back to the original class template and use this image as a custom image instead of the pre-defined image you used before. Or you can create a new class template. Notice! You will have to set the right region and username as explained in the notes above.
That's it!