Developers often need separate spaces for testing and development. Creating and managing virtual environments can be a complex task, but with the help of tools like PowerShell, it becomes much easier. One such tool that simplifies the setup of virtual lab environments, including Microsoft SQL Server instances, is AutomatedLab for Windows.

About AutomatedLab

AutomatedLab is an open-source project that provides a powerful tool for creating and managing sandboxed environments for testing and developing applications. It has a strong community of contributors who constantly improve and update the tool, providing extensive resources and support, including documentation and tutorials.

Installing AutomatedLab

Installing AutomatedLab is straightforward. You can download it from the PowerShell Gallery using the following command:

Install-Module -Name AutomatedLab

If you encounter any issues with the released version, you can try the preview version using the following command:

Install-Module -Name AutomatedLab -AllowPrerelease

After installing the module, you need to create the necessary directory structure by running the following command:

New-LabSourcesFolder -FolderStructureOnly

Next, you can add ISO files for the operating system and SQL Server to the designated folders. You can also add any additional scripts or tools you want to copy over to the virtual machines.

Creating a Quick VM on Hyper-V

To quickly create a virtual machine on Hyper-V, you can use the New-LabDefinition cmdlet with just a few lines of code. Here’s an example:

New-LabDefinition -Name "Lab1" -DefaultVirtualizationEngine "HyperV"
Add-LabMachineDefinition -Name "VM1" -Memory 1GB -OperatingSystem "Windows Server 2022 Datacenter (Desktop Experience)"
Install-Lab

This series of commands creates a new lab called “Lab1” using Hyper-V as the default virtualization engine. It also adds a virtual machine named “VM1” with 1GB of memory and the specified operating system. The Install-Lab command deploys the lab definition and creates the virtual machine.

Creating a Quick VM on Azure

If you prefer a cloud-based option, you can also create a virtual machine on Azure using AutomatedLab. Here’s an example:

New-LabDefinition -Name "Lab1Azure" -DefaultVirtualizationEngine "Azure"
Add-LabAzureSubscription -DefaultLocationName "UK South"
Add-LabMachineDefinition -Name "VM1Azure" -OperatingSystem "Windows Server 2022 Datacenter (Desktop Experience)"
Install-Lab

This series of commands creates a new lab named “Lab1Azure” using the Azure virtualization engine. It also adds a virtual machine named “VM1Azure” with the specified operating system. The Install-Lab command deploys the lab definition and creates the virtual machine.

Creating a VM with SQL Server and Tools

If you need to create a virtual machine with SQL Server and additional tools, you can customize the VM definition. Here’s an example:

$newVM = @{
    OperatingSystem = $(Get-LabAvailableOperatingSystem | Where-Object {$_.ImageIndex -eq 4}).OperatingSystemName
    Memory          = "6GB"
    Network         = $newNetwork.Name
    Roles           = $role
    ToolsPath       = "$labSources\Tools"
}
Add-LabMachineDefinition @newVM -Name "VM2"

In this example, the VM is customized with a specific operating system, memory allocation, network configuration, SQL Server role, and additional tools. The Add-LabMachineDefinition command adds the customized VM definition to the lab.

Conclusion

AutomatedLab is a valuable tool for IT professionals who need to create and manage virtual lab environments for testing and developing applications, including Microsoft SQL Server. With just a few lines of code, you can quickly set up virtual machines on both Hyper-V and Azure. Whether you need a simple VM or one with SQL Server and additional tools, AutomatedLab simplifies the process and saves time.