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+--- Thread: How can you create a linked clone of a virtual machine in Hyper-V? (/showthread.php?tid=235)
How can you create a linked clone of a virtual machine in Hyper-V? - savas - 10-03-2021
Creating a linked clone of a virtual machine in Hyper-V can be a cool way to save resources while optimizing your virtual environment. So, let’s get into it.
First, it’s important to understand what a linked clone is. Basically, it’s a copy of a virtual machine (VM) that shares virtual hard disks with the original. This means you don’t have to duplicate everything, and it’s super efficient in terms of storage.
Start by making sure your original VM is in good shape. You'll want to shut it down properly—not just power it off. This ensures that all your data is in a consistent state and reduces the risk of issues cropping up later.
Next, you’ll need to use a tool like PowerShell. Hyper-V Manager doesn’t have built-in support for linked clones, so PowerShell will become your best friend here. Open up PowerShell and connect to your Hyper-V host. If you're not sure how, it’s usually as simple as running `Enter-PSSession -ComputerName <yourHyperVmachine>`.
Once you’re in there, you’ll need to grab the VM you want to clone. You can find the VM’s name by using the `Get-VM` command, which lists all your VMs. Note down the name of the VM you want to clone.
Now, to create the linked clone, you’ll first want to create a new virtual hard disk (VHD) that will act as the primary disk for your linked clone. You do this with the `New-VHD` command, and you’ll set the `-ParentPath` parameter to point to the original VM’s VHD. Make sure you also set the format to dynamically expanding if that's your goal.
Here’s a simple command structure for that:
```powershell
New-VHD -Path "C:\Path\To\Your\NewVHD.vhdx" -ParentPath "C:\Path\To\OriginalVM.vhdx" -Differencing
```
After this, you’ll need to create the new VM itself. You can do this with the `New-VM` command. When you do that, don't forget to attach the new VHD you just created.
For example, that looks something like this:
```powershell
New-VM -Name "LinkedCloneVM" -MemoryStartupBytes 2GB -Switch "YourVirtualSwitch" -BootDevice VHD -Path "C:\Path\To\Your\LinkedCloneVM" -NewVHDPath "C:\Path\To\Your\NewVHD.vhdx"
```
At this point, you’ve got your linked clone created! However, there's one more thing. You may want to configure the settings for the new VM, like networking and any specific resources it’ll need. You can do this through the Hyper-V Manager if you prefer a graphical interface.
Finally, power on your new linked clone and check to see if everything is running smoothly. If all goes well, you now have a fully functioning linked clone of your original VM that’s ready for whatever testing or deployment you had in mind.
Remember, while linked clones are a fantastic way to conserve resources, they depend on the health of the original VM. If something happens to the parent VM, it can affect the linked clones. Keep that in mind as you manage your VMs.
I hope my post was useful. Are you new to Hyper-V and do you have a good Hyper-V backup solution? See my other post