VMware clone vs VMware template: what is the difference

Find out:

What are VMware clones and templates?
What is the difference between them?
how DiskInternals can help you

Are you ready? Let's read!

About VMware clones

An exact replica of a VM is a VMware clone. The VM that you use as the basis for a clone is referred to as the parent VM. However, the MAC addresses and UUIDs of the two virtual machines are different. The clone VM has no contact or connection to the parent VM, so any clone-related changes have no effect on the parent VM (and vice versa).

VMware clones and templates

About VMware templates

A vSphere template is also a copy of a VM with organized folders, applications and a specific configuration and access rights.

It is a protected version of the VM model that can be used, for example, to create a new VM.

So it cannot be operated as a standalone VM.

Cloning and template: 2 options

You have the following options:

Cloning to a template: The original VM is copied to a template format, creating two VMs.
Convert to template: The original VM is copied to the template format, but the original VM is not saved.

So what's the difference?

The differences between a VMware template and a clone are:

1. Creation mechanism and operating principle. A clone is an identical copy that can work independently and without authorization. It is created with a mouse click. The template is an image of a VM with basic configurations and cannot work independently. It can be created in various ways: by converting a VM into a template, by cloning a VM into a template or by cloning another template.
2. Area of application. Clones are often used for various types of tests so as not to damage the higher-level VM. These VMs are not suitable for mass deployment. Templates, on the other hand, are precisely suitable for the mass deployment of VMs in production environments. By assigning specific permissions, you can allow advanced users or administrators to deploy new VMs from templates.
3. The option of self-integration. Clones have this feature, but templates do not.

As can be seen from the analysis of the VMware clones compared to the templates, these two technologies are quite similar, but differ in terms of their area of application and intended use. Depending on the expected result, administrators will opt for one or the other technology.

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