6.0.2

Choosing QuickPrep or Sysprep to Customize Linked-Clone Machines
QuickPrep and Microsoft Sysprep provide different approaches to customizing linked-clone machines.
QuickPrep is designed to work efficiently with View Composer. Microsoft Sysprep offers standard
customization tools.
When you create linked-clone machines, you must modify each virtual machine so that it can function as a
unique computer on the network. View and View Composer provide two methods for personalizing linked-
clone machines.
Table 5-4 compares QuickPrep with customization specifications that are created with Microsoft Sysprep.
Table 5‑4. Comparing QuickPrep and Microsoft Sysprep
QuickPrep Customization Specification (Sysprep)
Designed to work with View Composer.
For details, see “Customizing Linked-Clone Machines with
QuickPrep,” on page 72.
Can be created with the standard Microsoft Sysprep tools.
Uses the same local computer security identifier (SID) for
all linked clones in the pool.
Generates a unique local computer SID for each linked
clone in the pool.
Can run additional customization scripts before linked
clones are powered off and after linked clones are created,
refreshed, or recomposed.
Can run an additional script when the user first logs in.
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 74.
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.
Setting Up Desktop and Application Pools in View
72 VMware, Inc.