You can create a VM template by using the following methods:
Export as template—Exports 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.
Clone to template—Creates a template copy of a VM, while leaving the original VM in place.
Convert to template—Converts a VM in shutdown state to a template. The converted VM can be used only as a template and is removed from the navigation pane.
Only VMs in shutdown state can be exported as OVF templates.
You cannot export an OVF template from a VM that has a floppy disk drive or optical drive mounted. If you clone or convert the VM to a template, the floppy disk drive or optical drive will be unmounted.
Before you clone or convert a Linux VM, delete the /etc/udev/rules.d/70-persistent-net.rules file from the Linux OS. If you do not delete this file, VMs deployed using the cloned template cannot find the eth0 NIC.
To ensure successful OS configuration for a VM deployed through a VM template, do not use the /usr directory as an independent partition when cloning or converting a VM installed with a Linux OS to a template.
To prevent source VM static IP from being kept on the NIC of a VM deployed through the VM template, change the IP addressing mode to automatic before cloning or converting a VM to a template.
On the top navigation bar, click VMs. If multiple clusters exist in the system, you must also select a cluster from the left navigation pane.
Select a VM, click More on the VM tile, and then select Clone to Template, or enter the VM overview page, click More Actions, and then select Clone to Template.
Enter a name and description for the VM template, and select the path to save the template.
Click OK.
On the top navigation bar, click VMs. If multiple clusters exist in the system, you must also select a cluster from the left navigation pane.
Select a VM, click More on the VM tile, and then select Convert to Template, or enter the VM overview page, click More Actions, and then select Convert to Template.
Enter a name and description for the VM template, and select the path to save the template.
Click OK.
On the top navigation bar, click VMs. If multiple clusters exist in the system, you must also select a cluster from the left navigation pane.
Select a VM, click More on the VM tile, and then select Export OVF Template, or select a VM from the navigation pane to access the VM overview page, click More Actions, and then select Export OVF Template.
In the dialog box that opens, click OK.
The exported OVF template will be automatically saved to the local disk.
Template Pool: Select the directory that stores the VM template.