Convert GNS3 VM to GNS3 Template

[sjohnd]

I saw a post where a user wanted to convert a VM to template and found the answer. It can be done but a little tricky.

I imported an image using create gns install from gns server but instead create a new version and add a debian net install iso downloaded from debian. Then you can create a new Debian13 template, with new 20G disk, attach the iso as a CDROM, use virtio for disk ethernet and video, and use uefi etc, drag to your project, add cloud, and switch, and attach the new vm from the temporary template, connect cloud and switch and install Debian netinstall so the iso is smaller. I installed with vnc but spice works too. Then I added some things to the instance, apt install net-tools etc xfce4 my own root password, some minor desktop fixes like theme and dark color etc. Checked it boots nicely. Shut it down.

So then look under the projects folder and ... .. ... look for hda. something ..qcow2 with the most recent time stamp. Copy this qcow2 to your iso's directory or somewhere where you keep images on the machine. This is the installed version with modifications. Repeat the first procedure with this qcow2 as create new version add it as like installing new version from gns server, just name it something else. This is importing the image making it available to gns3. Then create a new template with this qcow2 as the first disk virtio ... do other configuration same as the first machine, do not attach CDROM iso image like the first time around, and you have a new template with Debian already installed and configured as like you like, check the settings and drag to project desktop as many times as you like.

Now if someone can just tell me why I can't login to a fortigate appliance vm on gns3 or kvm via ssh web or console with admin and no password I'll be golden! Nothing I tried works, it's not an gns3 issue, something with fortigate kvm images and I did try a few different versions.

:)