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beekerc
Contributor
Contributor

creating a template from vm esxi 6.5 web client

I hope there's a very simple answer for this, or maybe i've just lost my ability to read.

I"m running ESXi 6.5.  i've created several base windows (7, 10, server 2008R2, 2012R2) that i want to use as template.  i've followed several articles on how to prep the systems and am now at the point where i need to convert/copy/clone powered-down VM's into templates that can be used to create new VM's.

most of what i find on the internet either refers to older versions of ESXi with the thick client, or with a web client that doesn't match the options in the 6.5 web client.

even the 6.5 documentation (VM Administration guide) has steps that don't match the product. 

  • Select Clone Virtual Machine to Template and click Next

or

  • Right-click the virtual machine and select Clone > Clone to Template

is it me or is there no "Clone" command on the right-click menu in the 6.5 web client?

all i want is a step-by-step on how to convert a VM to a template using the 6.5 ESXi web client, that actually match that client.

can anyone help me?

THanks.

BeekerC

followup - for windows OS, does creating a new VM via template cause the sysprep program to run so a unique SID/GUID/token for the new system is created?

or does sysprep still have to be run, but manually, after creation from template?

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daphnissov
Immortal
Immortal

There is no template conversion workflow that is accessible to the ESXi host itself via the host client. This type of operations can only be done through vCenter Server.

ollowup - for windows OS, does creating a new VM via template cause the sysprep program to run so a unique SID/GUID/token for the new system is created?

or does sysprep still have to be run, but manually, after creation from template?

The process of conversion to template does nothing other than change the status of that object in inventory. Only when deploying a new VM from that template (and using a customization spec) will Windows go through the process of sysprep and provide you the option of generating a new SID.

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beekerc
Contributor
Contributor

hi daphnissov,

thanks for the quick reply.

unless i'm mistaken, vcenter is a pay-for-license product, unlike hypervisor.  even if it's trial-ware, it's not a long term option.

that being said, would this work.....

  • create new VM in client (without specifying a hard drive) - to create the folder in the datastore
  • shut down the VM i want to clone.
  • copy the .vmdk file from above into the new VM folder
  • edit the new VM to point to the new .vmdk file
  • start new VM then run sysprep right away
  • after assigning new VM server name and IP address, it's safe to start the source VM

would that work, or am i missing a step?

Thanks

B

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