Clone to Template vs Convert to Template
When working with virtual machines (VMs), there are two common methods for creating multiple copies of an original VM, thereby streamlining the process of creating similar VMs: cloning to template and converting to template. Both of these methods have their individual advantages and disadvantages, but understanding the differences between them can help an administrator determine which is the best approach for a particular situation.
Clone to Template
Cloning to template is the process of creating a new VM from an existing one. The original VM is usually referred to as the “parent”, and the new VM is known as the “child”. The process of cloning to template is fairly simple: the administrator selects the parent VM, and then chooses the “clone to template” option from the VM’s management interface. This will create a new VM from the parent VM’s configuration, with the same applications and settings.
The main advantage of cloning to template is that the process is very quick and easy. Additionally, the child VM will be completely independent of the parent VM, meaning any changes made to the child will not affect the parent.
The main disadvantage of cloning to template is that it only works with VMs that have been created using the same hypervisor (the virtualization software that is used to create the VM). This means that if the parent VM was created using a different hypervisor than the one the administrator is using, the cloning process will not work. Additionally, the child VM will not have any of the updates or patches that the parent may have installed since the cloning process.
Convert to Template
Converting to template is a process similar to cloning to template, except that it does not create a new VM from an existing one. Instead, the original VM is converted into a template, which is essentially a file that can be used to create multiple new VMs. The process of converting to template is a bit more involved than cloning to template, as the administrator will usually have to manually install any applications and settings that were present on the original VM.
The main advantage of converting to template is that it is not limited to VMs created with the same hypervisor. This makes it much more versatile than cloning to template, as it allows the administrator to create new VMs based on VMs created with different hypervisors.
The main disadvantage of converting to template is that it is generally a more time-consuming process. Additionally, any updates or patches that were installed on the original VM will not be included in the template, which may make the template less secure than the original VM.
In conclusion, understanding the differences between cloning to template and converting to template can help an administrator decide which approach is best for a given situation. Cloning to template is the simpler and faster of the two processes, but it is limited to VMs created with the same hypervisor. Converting to template is more versatile, but it is also more time-consuming.
Clone to Template vs Convert to Template
Clone to Template
Clone to Template is a feature of virtualization management applications that allows users to make an exact copy of a running virtual machine. This process is relatively simple, and involves the copying of the entire virtual machine’s files, including its configuration, virtual hard drive, and virtual machine settings. This clone is then made into a template, so that it can be used as a starting point for new virtual machines. This can be a great time saver, as it eliminates the need to configure a new virtual machine from scratch. It also allows users to quickly create new virtual machines with the same settings as an existing one, eliminating the need to manually configure each machine.
Convert to Template
Convert to Template is a feature of virtualization management applications that allows users to convert an existing virtual machine into a template. This process differs from the Clone to Template feature, in that it does not involve creating an exact copy of the virtual machine. Instead, it involves creating a template from the existing virtual machine, which can then be used to create new virtual machines from. One advantage of this feature is that it can be used to create a new template from an existing virtual machine, without having to start from scratch. This can be very useful in situations where multiple virtual machines need to be created with the same settings.
Differences
The main difference between Clone to Template and Convert to Template is that Clone to Template creates an exact copy of the existing virtual machine, while Convert to Template creates a template from the existing one. With Clone to Template, the entire virtual machine is copied, including its configuration, virtual hard drive, and virtual machine settings. With Convert to Template, only the configuration and settings are copied, and the virtual hard drive is not included.
Another difference between the two features is that Clone to Template allows users to quickly create new virtual machines with the same settings as an existing one, while Convert to Template allows users to create a template from an existing virtual machine, without having to start from scratch. This can be very useful in situations where multiple virtual machines need to be created with the same settings.
Finally, Clone to Template is generally simpler and faster to use than Convert to Template, as it only involves copying the entire virtual machine’s files, while Convert to Template involves creating a template from the existing virtual machine.
