Linked Clones Prevalence in vSphere

[Shocko]

Just wondering why linked clones are not exposed in vSphere UI ? I know we can make them from the API but why are they hidden in this product but visible as UI options in others? Is it simply because they were deemed more suitable to VDI (VMWare View) and the like?

[abulhol]

By the way, the API does not allow to create linked clones, only full clones as far as I can see.

See vSphere Web Services API - VMware API Explorer - VMware {code}

I can only find CloneVM_Task which creates a full clone like vSphere does.

[TimSheppard]

Instant clones was the new feature added into vSphere 6.7 and its intended use was for things like container hosts, big data and Hadoop worker nodes. It uses the same underlying technology used in Horizon where it is used with deployment of desktops.

I‘m guessing that those use cases involve a lot of automation and scripting rather than being driven by a GUI hence why GUI isn’t an option.