6.0.1

Deploying Virtual Machines 2
To deploy virtual machines in the vCenter Server inventory, you can deploy from a template, create a
virtual machine, or clone an existing virtual machine.
This chapter includes the following topics:
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“About Provisioning Virtual Machines,” on page 19
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“Create a Virtual Machine Without a Template or Clone,” on page 20
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“Deploy a Virtual Machine from a Template,” on page 26
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“Clone a Virtual Machine,” on page 32
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“Clone a Virtual Machine to a Template in the vSphere Web Client,” on page 38
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“Clone a Template to a Template in the vSphere Web Client,” on page 42
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“Convert a Template to a Virtual Machine,” on page 45
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“Customizing Guest Operating Systems,” on page 47
About Provisioning Virtual Machines
VMware provides several methods to provision vSphere virtual machines. The optimal method for your
environment depends on factors such as the size and type of your infrastructure and the goals that you want
to achieve.
Create a single virtual machine if no other virtual machines in your environment have the requirements you
are looking for, such as a particular operating system or hardware configuration. For example, you might
need a virtual machine that is configured only for testing purposes. You can also create a single virtual
machine and install an operating system on it, and then use that virtual machine as a template from which
to clone other virtual machines. See “Create a Virtual Machine Without a Template or Clone,” on page 20.
Deploy and export virtual machines, virtual appliances, and vApps stored in Open Virtual Machine Format
(OVF) to use a preconfigured virtual machine. A virtual appliance is a virtual machine that typically has an
operating system and other software installed. You can deploy virtual machines from local file systems,
such as local disks (for example, C:), removable media (for example, CDs or USB keychain drives), and
shared network drives. See Chapter 3, “Deploying OVF Templates,” on page 63.
Create a template to deploy multiple virtual machines from. A template is a master copy of a virtual
machine that you can use to create and provision virtual machines. Use templates to save time. If you have a
virtual machine that you will clone frequently, make that virtual machine a template. See “Deploy a Virtual
Machine from a Template,” on page 26.
Cloning a virtual machine can save time if you are deploying many similar virtual machines. You can create,
configure, and install software on a single virtual machine. You can clone it multiple times, rather than
creating and configuring each virtual machine individually. See “Clone a Virtual Machine,” on page 32.
VMware, Inc.
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