6.0.2

2 View Composer and View customize the linked clone with QuickPrep or a Sysprep customization
specification, depending on which customization tool you select when you create the pool.
n
If you use Sysprep, a unique SID is generated for each clone.
n
If you use QuickPrep, no new SID is generated. The parent virtual machine's SID is replicated on
all provisioned linked-clone machines in the pool.
n
Some applications generate a GUID during customization.
3 View creates a snapshot of the linked clone.
The snapshot contains the unique SID generated with Sysprep or common SID generated with
QuickPrep.
4 View powers on the machine according to the settings you select when you create the pool.
Some applications generate a GUID the first time the machine is powered on.
For a comparison of QuickPrep and Sysprep customization, see “Choosing QuickPrep or Sysprep to
Customize Linked-Clone Machines,” on page 72.
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 74.
Table 5-3 shows the effect of View Composer operations on linked-clone SIDs and third-party application
GUIDs.
Table 5‑3. 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.
Chapter 5 Creating Linked-Clone Desktop Pools
VMware, Inc. 71