How to Create VM Templates and Deploy Virtual Machines from Templates | VMware Beginners Tutorial

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the process of creating VM templates and deploying virtual machines (VMs) from those templates in VMware vSphere 7.0 using the HTML 5 client. Understanding how to manage VM templates is essential for efficient VM provisioning and management, especially in a virtualized environment.

Step 1: Convert Virtual Machine to VM Template

To create a VM template from an existing virtual machine, follow these instructions:

1. Access the vSphere HTML 5 Client:

   • Open your web browser and log in to the vSphere client.

2. Select the Virtual Machine:

   • Navigate to the "VMs and Templates" view.
   • Locate the VM you want to convert.

3. Convert the VM:

   • Right-click on the VM.
   • Choose "Template" from the context menu.
   • Click on "Convert to Template".
   • Confirm the action when prompted.

4. Verify the Template:

   • Check the "Templates" section to ensure your VM has been successfully converted to a template.

Step 2: Deploy Virtual Machines from Templates

Once you have a VM template, you can deploy new VMs from it:

1. Access the Templates Section:

   • In the vSphere HTML 5 Client, go to the "VMs and Templates" view.

2. Select the Template:

   • Find the template you want to use.

3. Deploy the Template:

   • Right-click on the template.

   • Select "New VM from This Template".

   • Follow the wizard to configure:

   • Name and Location: Specify a name for the new VM and choose the destination folder.

   • Compute Resource: Select the host or cluster where the VM will run.

   • Datastore: Choose a datastore for the VM files.

   • Customize Settings: (Optional) Customize hardware settings or network configurations.

4. Finish the Deployment:

   • Review your settings and click "Finish" to complete the deployment.

Step 3: Convert VM Template Back to Virtual Machine

If you need to revert a template back to a VM, follow these steps:

1. Locate the Template:

   • In the "Templates" section, find the template you want to convert.

2. Convert to VM:

   • Right-click on the template.
   • Select "Template" and then "Convert to Virtual Machine".

3. Select Destination:

   • Choose a location for the VM and specify any necessary settings.

4. Verify Conversion:

   • Confirm that the template has been converted back to a VM in the "VMs" section.

Step 4: Explore Different Options to Create VM Templates

There are various ways to create VM templates:

• From Existing VMs: As detailed above, convert an existing VM to a template.
• From VM Clones: Clone an existing VM and then convert it to a template.
• Using a Bare Metal Installation: Install a new VM and configure it as needed before converting it to a template.

Step 5: Provisioning Virtual Machines Using VM Templates

Once templates are set up, provisioning becomes straightforward:

1. Select the Template: Choose the desired template from the "Templates" section.
2. Deploy New VMs: Follow the steps outlined in Step 2 to create new VMs.
3. Automation: Consider using PowerCLI scripts for automating the deployment process if managing multiple VMs.

Conclusion

Creating and managing VM templates in VMware vSphere is a crucial skill that enhances efficiency in virtual machine provisioning. By following this tutorial, you can easily convert existing VMs into templates, deploy new VMs from those templates, and revert templates back to VMs when necessary. Practice these steps to become proficient in managing your virtual environment effectively. For further learning, explore additional resources on VMware's website or related tutorials in the VMware Beginners series.