Create a VM template

You can create a VM template by using the following methods:

You can also export a VM in shutdown state to an OVF template. Open Virtualization Format (OVF) is an open standard defining the file format that allows for compatibility of VMs across management platforms. This section describes how to clone and convert a VM to a template. For how to export a VM as an OVF template, see "Export an OVF template."

Restrictions and guidelines

Clone a VM as a template

  1. From the left navigation pane, select Resources > Host Pool Name > Host Name > VM Name or Resources > Host Pool Name > Cluster Name > Host Name > VM Name.

  1. Click More, and then select Clone as Template.

  1. Enter the template name and description, and then select a directory to store the template and the template owner.

  1. Click OK.

Convert a VM to a template

  1. From the left navigation pane, select Resources > Host Pool Name > Host Name > VM Name or Resources > Host Pool Name > Cluster Name > Host Name > VM Name.

  1. Click More, and then select Convert to Template.

  1. Enter a name and description for the VM template, and select the path to save the template and the template owner.

  1. Click OK.

Export an OVF template

  1. From the left navigation pane, select Resources > host pool name > host name > VM name or Resources > Host Pool Name > Cluster Name > Host Name > VM Name.

  1. Click More, and then select Export OVF Template.

  1. Click OK.

Parameters