This article describes how to add a claimable virtual machine (VM) to a lab in DevTest Labs by using the Azure portal.

A claimable VM is added to a lab in a similar manner to how youadd a standard VM. The base for the claimable VM can be acustom image,formula, orMarketplace image. After you add the VM, you can claim it and later unclaim it, as needed.

Add a claimable VM to your lab

Use the following steps to add a claimable VM to a lab in DevTest Labs:

1. In theAzure portal, go to your DevTest Labs lab resource where you want to create the claimable VM.

2. On the labOverview page, selectAdd to create a new virtual machine:

   

3. On theChoose a base page, select a Marketplace image to use when creating the VM. After you select a base image, theCreate lab resource - Virtual machine pane opens.

4. On theBasic Settings tab, configure the following options:

   • Virtual machine name: Enter a name for the VM. The text box is prefilled with a unique autogenerated name. The value corresponds to the user name within your email address followed by a unique three-digit number. You can override the provided value by entering a name of your choice. The machine name is validated as you type. A message indicates the requirements for a valid name.

   • User Name: Enter the name for a user with administrator privileges on the virtual machine. For the first VM you create for your lab, the text box is prefilled with a unique autogenerated name. The name corresponds to the user name within your email address. You can override the autogenerated value by entering a name of your choice. When you create subsequent VMs in your lab, this text box is prefilled with the most recent user name that you used.

   • Password: When you create the first VM in your lab, enter a password for the user with administrator privileges. To save this password as a default password in the Azure key vault associated with your lab, selectSave as default password. The default password is saved in your key vault with the nameVmPassword. When you create subsequent VMs in the lab, theVmPassword value is automatically entered as the password. To override the value, clear theUse a saved secret check box, and enter a password.

     Use a saved secret: You can also save secrets in your Azure key vault first and then use the secrets when you create VMs in your lab. To use a password stored in your key vault, selectUse a saved secret, and then specify a key value that corresponds to your stored secret (password). For more information, seeStore secrets in Azure Key Vault.

   • Virtual machine size: A common size is prefilled according to the base image you selected for the VM. The size specifies the processor cores, RAM size, and hard drive size of the VM to create. To use a different size, selectChange size and choose from a list of available sizes and support options.

   • OS disk type: The selected base image for the VM determines your options for the disk type. Depending on the base, you can choose from the following options:

     • Premium SSD disks offer high-performance, low-latency disk support for I/O-intensive applications and production workloads.
     • Standard SSD disks are a cost effective storage option optimized for workloads that need consistent performance at lower I/O operations per second (IOPS) levels.
     • Standard HDD disks are ideal for Dev/Test scenarios and less critical workloads at lowest cost.

   • Artifacts: Zero or more artifacts are added by default according to the selected base image for the VM. You can also selectAdd or Remove Artifacts to change the artifacts for the new VM.

     Important

     If you're new to DevTest Labs or configuring artifacts, review the guidance inAdd artifacts to DevTest Labs VMs before you set up the artifacts for the new VM.

5. On theAdvanced Settings tab, configure the following options:

   • Virtual network: The virtual network for your lab is prefilled in the text field. Use the dropdown list to select from available networks.

   • Subnet Selector: The subnet for the selected virtual network for your lab is prefilled in the text field. Use the dropdown list to select from available subnets.

   • IP address: Specify the type of IP address for the VM:Public,Private, orShared. For more information about shared IP addresses, seeUnderstand shared IP addresses in Azure DevTest Labs.

   • Expiration date: To automatically delete the VM, specify theexpiration date andexpiration time.

   • Make this VM claimable: To make the VM claimable by a lab user, selectYes.

   • Number of instances: Specify the number of the instances of the VM that you want to make available to your lab users.

6. On theBasic Settings tab, selectCreate to add the new VM to your lab.

The lab page displays the status of the VM's creation - first asCreating, thenAvailable, and finally asRunning after the VM is started.

Use a claimable VM

There are two ways a user can claim a VM from the list ofClaimable virtual machines, as described in the following sections. After a VM is claimed, the machine is no longer available in the claimable pool for the lab.

Claim a specific VM

The user can claim a specific VM for their lab:

1. On the labOverview page, expand theMy lab section on the left menu, and selectClaimable virtual machines.

2. Right-click the VM you want to claim, and then selectClaim machine:

   

Claim any available VM

Another approach is to instruct DevTest Labs to select any available claimable machine:

1. On the labOverview page, selectClaim any:

   

   A random virtual machine is assigned from the list of claimable VMs.

2. After a user claims a VM, DevTest Labs starts the machine and adds it to lab user's list ofMy virtual machines:

   

   The lab user now has owner privileges on the machine. The time required for this step can vary depending on startup times and any other custom actions being performed during the claim event.

Unclaim a VM

When a user is finished using a claimed VM, they can transition the VM to theunclaimed state and return it to the list of claimable virtual machines for the lab.

After a user unclaims a VM, they no longer have owner permissions for that specific lab VM. The VM is then claimable by all lab users in the state that it was returned to the pool.

The following sections describe two ways to unclaim a VM.

Unclaim a VM from a list of VMs

The user can unclaim a specific VM in the lab:

1. On the labOverview page, expand the list ofMy virtual machines.

2. Locate the row with the VM to unclaim, right-click the row or selectMore options (...), and then selectUnclaim:

   

Unclaim a VM from the resource view

The user can also unclaim a virtual machine from theOverview page for the resource:

1. On the labOverview page, expand the list ofMy virtual machines.

2. In the list ofMy virtual machines, locate the VM to unclaim, and then select the VM name to view the resource details.

3. In theOverview page for the virtual machine, selectUnclaim:

   

Transfer the data disk

If a claimable VM has a data disk attached to it, and a user unclaims the VM, the data disk stays with the VM. In other words, the user also unclaims the data disk along with the VM.

When another user claims the VM, the new user claims the VM and also the attached data disk. The act of claiming the data disk attached to a VM is known astransferring the data disk.

When a VM is claimed by a user, the attached data disk is added to the new user's list ofMy data disks for the lab.

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