A template is a copy of a preconfigured virtual machine, used to simplify the subsequent, repeated creation of similar virtual machines. Templates capture installed software and software configurations, as well as the hardware configuration, of the original virtual machine.

When you create a template from a virtual machine, a read-only copy of the virtual machine's disk is taken. The read-only disk becomes the base disk image of the new template, and of any virtual machines created from the template. As such, the template cannot be deleted whilst virtual machines created from the template exist in the environment.

Virtual machines created from a template use the same NIC type and driver as the original virtual machine, but utilize separate and unique MAC addresses.