5.2

n
If
you use QuickPrep, no new SID is generated. The parent virtual machine's SID is replicated on all
provisioned linked-clone desktops in the pool.
n
Some applications generate a GUID during customization.
3 View Manager creates a snapshot of the linked clone.
The snapshot contains the unique SID generated with Sysprep or common SID generated with QuickPrep.
4 View Manager powers on the desktop according to the settings you select when you create the pool.
Some applications generate a GUID the first time the desktop is powered on.
For a comparison of QuickPrep and Sysprep customization, see “Choosing QuickPrep or Sysprep to Customize
Linked-Clone Desktops,” on page 103.
When you refresh the linked clone, View Composer uses the snapshot to restore the clone to its initial state.
Its SID is preserved.
If you use QuickPrep, when you recompose the linked clone, the parent virtual machine's SID is preserved on
the linked clone as long as you select the same parent virtual machine for the recompose operation. If you select
a different parent virtual machine for the recomposition, the new parent's SID is replicated on the clone.
If you use Sysprep, a new SID is always generated on the clone. For details, see “Recomposing Linked Clones
Customized with Sysprep,” on page 106.
Table 5-5 shows the effect of View Composer operations on linked-clone SIDs and third-party application
GUIDs.
Table 5-5. View Composer Operations, Linked-Clone SIDs, and Application GUIDs
Support for SIDs or GUIDs Clone Creation Refresh Recompose
Sysprep: Unique SIDs for
linked clones
With Sysprep
customization, unique SIDs
are generated for linked
clones.
Unique SIDs are preserved. Unique SIDS are not
preserved.
QuickPrep: Common SIDs
for linked clones
With QuickPrep
customization, a common
SID is generated for all
clones in a pool.
Common SID is preserved. Common SID is preserved.
Third-party application
GUIDs
Each application behaves
differently.
NOTE Sysprep and
QuickPrep have the same
effect on GUID
preservation.
The GUID is preserved if an
application generates the
GUID before the initial
snapshot is taken.
The GUID is not preserved
if an application generates
the GUID after the initial
snapshot is taken.
Recompose operations do not
preserve an application
GUID unless the application
writes the GUID on the drive
specified as a View
Composer persistent disk.
Choosing QuickPrep or Sysprep to Customize Linked-Clone Desktops
QuickPrep and Microsoft Sysprep provide different approaches to customizing linked-clone desktops.
QuickPrep is designed to work efficiently with View Composer. Microsoft Sysprep offers standard
customization tools.
When you create linked-clone desktops, you must modify each virtual machine so that it can function as a
unique
computer on the network. View Manager and View Composer provide two methods for personalizing
linked-clone desktops.
Table 5-6 compares QuickPrep with customization specifications that are created with Microsoft Sysprep.
Sysprep is supported for linked clones only on vSphere 4.1 or later software. You cannot use Sysprep to
customize linked-clone deskstops on vSphere 4.0 software.
Chapter 5 Creating Desktop Pools
VMware, Inc. 103