4.6

Table 5-6. Comparing QuickPrep and Microsoft Sysprep (Continued)
QuickPrep Customization Specification (Sysprep)
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 87.
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 desktops in the pool.
Customizing Linked-Clone Desktops with QuickPrep
You can personalize the linked-clone desktops that are created from a parent virtual machine by using the
QuickPrep system tool. View Composer executes QuickPrep when a linked-clone desktop is created or
recomposed.
QuickPrep customizes a linked-clone desktop 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 7 and Windows Vista linked-clone desktops.
For details, see “Activating Windows 7 and Windows Vista on Linked-Clone Desktops,” on page 66.
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 86.
NOTE View Composer requires domain user credentials to join linked-clone desktops to an Active Directory
domain. For details, see “Create a User Account for View Composer,” on page 14.
Running QuickPrep Customization Scripts
With the QuickPrep tool, you can create scripts to customize the linked-clone desktops in a pool. You can
configure QuickPrep to run customization scripts at two predefined times.
When QuickPrep Scripts Run
The post-synchronization script runs after linked clones are created, recomposed, or rebalanced, and the clones'
status is Ready. The power-off script runs before linked clones are powered off. The scripts run in the guest
operating systems of the linked clones.
How QuickPrep Executes Scripts
The QuickPrep process uses the Windows CreateProcess API call to execute scripts. Your script can invoke
any process that can be created with the CreateProcess API. For example, cmd, vbscript, exe, and batch-file
processes work with the API.
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