Deploy from Template or Clone

[TheArchiveMan]

Having a hard time finding information about this question. Is it better to deploy new VMs from a template or a clone? What are the advantages of deploying by creating a new VM from the template vs creating a new VM by creating a new clone of an existing VM? (The existing VM is not on the domain so there are no SID issues) Are there any documents that compare the 2 options?

[patrickds]

using a template lets you start from a clean installation (provided your template is clean)

When you clone an existing VM, a lot of stuff could have been installed that you don't need in the clone, and that you will have to remove, possibly leaving unwanted clutter.

That's actually the only difference, since deploying from template is basically also cloning.

A template is a vm that has been locked so it cannot be started, to avoid unwanted/unintended changements.

[admin]

But when you deploy from a template, you will have to make sure that the template is up to date with all the patches, anti virus updates etc. Where as the existing VM would most probably will have those things updated. So some rework can be avoided.

But in case you are looking for a fresh VM, I would prefer templates to cloning from existing VM .

-Sandeep

[TheArchiveMan]

Thanks. This is usefull

[azn2kew]

In case you have to use template solution, here is a list of complete download for each OS sysprep files and its the most prefer method for provisioning VMs is through templates.

If you found this information useful, please consider awarding points for "Correct" or "Helpful". Thanks!!!

Regards,

Stefan Nguyen

VMware vExpert 2009

iGeek Systems Inc.

VMware, Citrix, Microsoft Consultant