6.0

Table 5‑4. Comparing QuickPrep and Microsoft Sysprep (Continued)
QuickPrep Customization Specification (Sysprep)
Joins the linked clone computer to the Active Directory
domain.
Joins the linked-clone computer to the Active Directory
domain.
The domain and administrator information in the Sysprep
customization specification is not used. The virtual
machine is joined to the domain using the guest
customization information that you enter in View
Administrator when you create the pool.
For each linked clone, adds a unique ID to the Active
Directory domain account.
For each linked clone, adds a unique ID to the Active
Directory domain account.
Does not generate a new SID after linked clones are
refreshed. The common SID is preserved.
Generates a new SID when each linked clone is
customized. Preserves the unique SIDs during a refresh
operation, but not during a recompose or rebalance
operation.
Does not generate a new SID after linked clones are
recomposed. The common SID is preserved.
Runs again after linked clones are recomposed, generating
new SIDs for the virtual machines.
For details, see “Recomposing Linked Clones Customized
with Sysprep,” on page 72.
Runs faster than Sysprep. Can take longer than QuickPrep.
After you customize a linked-clone pool with QuickPrep or Sysprep, you cannot switch to the other
customization method when you create or recompose machines in the pool.
Customizing Linked-Clone Machines with QuickPrep
You can personalize the linked-clone machines that are created from a parent virtual machine by using the
QuickPrep system tool. View Composer executes QuickPrep when a linked-clone machine is created or
recomposed.
QuickPrep customizes a linked-clone machine in several ways:
n
Gives the computer a name that you specify when you create the linked-clone pool.
n
Creates a computer account in Active Directory, joining the computer to the appropriate domain.
n
Mounts the View Composer persistent disk. The Windows user profile is redirected to this disk.
n
Redirects temp and paging files to a separate disk.
These steps might require the linked clones to restart one or more times.
QuickPrep uses KMS volume license keys to activate Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows Vista linked-
clone machines. For details, see the VMware Horizon View Administration document.
You can create your own scripts to further customize the linked clones. QuickPrep can run two types of
scripts at predefined times:
n
After linked clones are created or recomposed
n
Immediately before linked clones are powered off
For guidelines and rules for using QuickPrep customization scripts, see “Running QuickPrep Customization
Scripts,” on page 71.
NOTE View Composer requires domain user credentials to join linked-clone machines to an Active
Directory domain. For details, see the View Administration document.
Setting Up Desktop and Application Pools in View
70 VMware, Inc.