Procedure 9.1. Creating a Template from an Existing Virtual Machine

1. Use the Virtual Machines resource tab, tree mode, or the search function to find and select the virtual machine in the results list.
2. Ensure that the virtual machine is powered down and has a status of Down.

   Note

   Take a snapshot of the virtual machine at this stage if you wish to use the virtual machine (as a virtual machine) after using it to create a template.
3. Click Make Template to open the New Template window.
   

   Figure 9.1. New Template Window

   
   
4. Enter the Name and Description of the template.
5. Select the Host Cluster and storage Target from the drop-down menus; by default, these are set the same as the source virtual machine.
6. The Allow all users to access this Template check box is selected by default, which makes it public.
7. Click OK to create the template. The virtual machine displays a status of Image Locked while the template is being created; this may take up to an hour, depending on the virtual machine disk image size and your storage hardware.