Procedure 10.1. Creating a Virtual Machine Pool

1. In flat mode, click the Pools resource tab to display a list of virtual machine pools.
2. Click the New button to open the New Pool window.
3. • Use the drop down-list to select the Cluster or use the selected default.
   • Use the Based on Template drop-down list to select a template or use the selected default. A template provides standard settings for all the virtual machines in the pool.
   • Use the Operating System drop-down list to select an Operating System or use the default provided by the template.
   • Use the Optimized for drop-down list to optimize virtual machines for either Desktop use or Server use.
4. Enter the Name, Description, and Number of VMs for the pool.
5. Select the Maximum number of VMs per user that a single user is allowed to run in a session. The minimum is one.
6. Click the Show Advanced Options button, and then select the System tab. Enter the Memory Size to be used for each virtual machine in the pool and the number of Total Virtual CPUs, or use the defaults, which are set in the template.
7. If applicable, click the Advanced Parameters disclosure button and use the drop-down lists to select the Cores per Virtual Socket and Virtual Sockets. The number of these you can set depends on the number of Total Virtual CPUs you have specified.
8. Click the Pool tab and select a Pool Type:
   • Manual - The administrator is responsible for explicitly returning the virtual machine to the pool. The virtual machine reverts to the original base image after the administrator returns it to the pool.
   • Automatic - When the virtual machine is shut down, it automatically reverts to its base image and is returned to the virtual machine pool.
9. The Initial Run, Console, Host, Resource Allocation, Boot Options, and Custom Properties tabs are not mandatory but define options for your pool. These tabs feature settings and controls that are identical to the settings and controls in the New Virtual Machines window.
10. Click OK to create the pool.