I have a requirement to create a ton of linux VMs for our customers (we run managed infrastructure) on Hyper-V 2012 in the coming months and I have an issue with automating it.

Here is how I need it to work:

1. User accesses their web page and creates a VM.
2. VM is created with a unique IP and name
3. User logs in over SSH

I know Hyper-V quite well and can work with powershell and am a C# programmer so the development side of things is taken care of. I also know enough about Linux to be at least competent: I have used it on and off for a number of years but not done anything Enterprise-level with it.

All this can be done easily by manual processes but I need to be able to script or program this to automate it as there could be hundreds of them being created but I don't know how.

My first thought is to have a database with random-generated names and IPs already created but I don't know how to get a Linux VM to boot up and grab one from the database... I suppose a Kickstart script would take care of it but I don't know what to do from there.

Here is what is bouncing around in my head:

1. Create a std linux build. - Easy to do
2. Someone clicks "Create VM" and I pull a name and IP from the database and write it to a kickstart script. - Easy to do
3. I could then open the template VHDX file and copy in the script and then save it. - Not sure if possible
4. User boots up new VM and the kickstart script gives it the name and IP I assigned it.

My problem is that I don't know how to open a VHDX file and insert a kickstart script into it... can't figure it out.

I am reaching here and this solution may be miles off... I am more used to creating Windows VMs with scripts and so on which i am more familiar with... any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Mick