01-17-2024, 09:09 PM
Creating a linked clone in VMware Workstation is something that's surprisingly straightforward once you get the hang of it. I remember the first time I attempted it; I felt a bit like a kid fumbling with a new toy. But trust me, you’ll get the hang of it pretty quickly. So let’s just jump into it and I’ll share what I know.
First, you’ll need to have your original virtual machine set up and running. This is like your base model, so make sure it’s in a state that you’re happy with. If you’ve installed an operating system and set up your applications, that’s a great start. You don’t want to create a linked clone from an incomplete setup, right? You can think of it like cloning your favorite recipe—you want the best ingredients to start with.
When you’ve got your base machine all set, open VMware Workstation. You should see your original VM listed on the left side of the interface. Select it because that’s the one you're going to clone. This is your starting point.
Now, right-click on the VM. From the context menu, you’ll want to find the option that says something akin to “Manage.” Under that, you’ll find another option for “Clone.” Clicking this sets you on the right path. You want to create a clone of your machine, and VMware lets you choose between a full clone and a linked clone. We’re going for the linked clone, and here’s why: it’s more efficient in terms of disk space and resource usage. A linked clone uses the original VM’s disk file as a parent, meaning it shares the same base disk image. So, it won’t take up as much room as a full clone.
After you click on "Clone," you’ll encounter a wizard that helps guide you through the process. It might feel like a bit of a hand-holding exercise, but don’t be put off. Just follow along with each step. The first thing it does is ask what type of clone you want. This is where you select “Linked Clone.” You’ll notice that it might describe some advantages—mostly about disk space and how it uses less resources. It’s pretty great if you’re experimenting with multiple setups.
Once you've selected linked clone, you’ll need to give your new VM a name. This is something I’ve always found pretty entertaining because you can let your creativity run wild! Name it after your favorite movie character or even just call it “Test VM 1.” Whatever suits your fancy! What’s nice about this step is that you can always rename it later if you change your mind.
After you’ve named the new clone, you’ll typically move on to configuring where you want to store it. VMware will give you a prompt for the location of the clone's files on your host machine. It’s smart to keep things organized, especially if you’re going to have multiple clones. I personally have a specific folder where I keep my VMs, and within that, I have separate areas for each project. It just makes life a little easier when you’re trying to stay organized!
Now, the wizard may ask if you want to power on the clone after it’s created. This is just up to you. If you plan on configuring the settings right away, go ahead and check that box. If you want to set everything up first on the original VM and then work on the clone, you can leave it unchecked.
Once you're satisfied with all the selections and configurations, hit the “Finish” button or whatever the equivalent is in your version. You'll see the progress bar as VMware processes everything. So grab a cup of coffee and hang tight for a couple of minutes—this part takes a little while, but it’s usually not too long.
As it’s creating the linked clone, you might want to think about what you want to do with it once it’s up and running. I love experimenting with different software, or testing out new configurations without risking my original setup. This is one of the top perks. You get to play around and explore without worrying about breaking anything important.
When the clone is ready, it should appear in your list just like the original VM. If you chose to power it on, it will automatically start up. If not, you’ll have to click on it and hit that power button yourself. Once it’s running, take a moment to look around. The new VM’s desktop will look just like the original, but it’s an independent entity. That means you can make changes, installs, and tests without affecting your original machine.
Something to keep in mind while you're using your linked clone is that it relies on its parent VM. You can't make snapshots of the linked clone without impacting the original. If you need to take a snapshot, it’s generally better to do that from the parent VM. A linked clone inherits the state of its parent at the time of creation but can develop its unique state as you make changes.
Being mindful of how clone relationships work can be crucial, especially when performing updates. For instance, if you update the original VM and want those changes reflected on the linked clone, you’ll have to look into various configurations, considering compatibility and what works best for your test environment.
When you're finished with using your linked clone, you might choose to delete it. Know that doing so won’t affect the original VM, which is great. If you’ve decided your testing is complete, and you want to clear out some space, right-click on the linked clone and choose "Remove." It’ll give you a couple of prompts about whether you want to also delete all files, and if you choose to, it’ll free up all that space it was using.
Creating a linked clone in VMware Workstation can seem intimidating at first, especially if you’ve never worked with it before. I know I felt a little lost initially, but it quickly became a part of my routine. It opens up so many possibilities for testing and experimentation. It allows you to manage your resources efficiently without compromising your systems. You approach your projects with more confidence since you know your original setup is safe, and you can always revert back to it if anything goes sideways.
So, whether you want to test software, try out networking scenarios, or maybe even play around with configurations before applying them to a production environment, linked clones can be a fantastic asset. Give it a shot, and you might find it becomes one of your go-to tools in your work as well. It's an awesome feature once you realize how manageable and beneficial it can truly be!
![[Image: Vmware-Workstation-Backup-Software.jpg]](https://backup.education/images/Vmware-Workstation-Backup-Software.jpg)
First, you’ll need to have your original virtual machine set up and running. This is like your base model, so make sure it’s in a state that you’re happy with. If you’ve installed an operating system and set up your applications, that’s a great start. You don’t want to create a linked clone from an incomplete setup, right? You can think of it like cloning your favorite recipe—you want the best ingredients to start with.
When you’ve got your base machine all set, open VMware Workstation. You should see your original VM listed on the left side of the interface. Select it because that’s the one you're going to clone. This is your starting point.
Now, right-click on the VM. From the context menu, you’ll want to find the option that says something akin to “Manage.” Under that, you’ll find another option for “Clone.” Clicking this sets you on the right path. You want to create a clone of your machine, and VMware lets you choose between a full clone and a linked clone. We’re going for the linked clone, and here’s why: it’s more efficient in terms of disk space and resource usage. A linked clone uses the original VM’s disk file as a parent, meaning it shares the same base disk image. So, it won’t take up as much room as a full clone.
After you click on "Clone," you’ll encounter a wizard that helps guide you through the process. It might feel like a bit of a hand-holding exercise, but don’t be put off. Just follow along with each step. The first thing it does is ask what type of clone you want. This is where you select “Linked Clone.” You’ll notice that it might describe some advantages—mostly about disk space and how it uses less resources. It’s pretty great if you’re experimenting with multiple setups.
Once you've selected linked clone, you’ll need to give your new VM a name. This is something I’ve always found pretty entertaining because you can let your creativity run wild! Name it after your favorite movie character or even just call it “Test VM 1.” Whatever suits your fancy! What’s nice about this step is that you can always rename it later if you change your mind.
After you’ve named the new clone, you’ll typically move on to configuring where you want to store it. VMware will give you a prompt for the location of the clone's files on your host machine. It’s smart to keep things organized, especially if you’re going to have multiple clones. I personally have a specific folder where I keep my VMs, and within that, I have separate areas for each project. It just makes life a little easier when you’re trying to stay organized!
Now, the wizard may ask if you want to power on the clone after it’s created. This is just up to you. If you plan on configuring the settings right away, go ahead and check that box. If you want to set everything up first on the original VM and then work on the clone, you can leave it unchecked.
Once you're satisfied with all the selections and configurations, hit the “Finish” button or whatever the equivalent is in your version. You'll see the progress bar as VMware processes everything. So grab a cup of coffee and hang tight for a couple of minutes—this part takes a little while, but it’s usually not too long.
As it’s creating the linked clone, you might want to think about what you want to do with it once it’s up and running. I love experimenting with different software, or testing out new configurations without risking my original setup. This is one of the top perks. You get to play around and explore without worrying about breaking anything important.
When the clone is ready, it should appear in your list just like the original VM. If you chose to power it on, it will automatically start up. If not, you’ll have to click on it and hit that power button yourself. Once it’s running, take a moment to look around. The new VM’s desktop will look just like the original, but it’s an independent entity. That means you can make changes, installs, and tests without affecting your original machine.
Something to keep in mind while you're using your linked clone is that it relies on its parent VM. You can't make snapshots of the linked clone without impacting the original. If you need to take a snapshot, it’s generally better to do that from the parent VM. A linked clone inherits the state of its parent at the time of creation but can develop its unique state as you make changes.
Being mindful of how clone relationships work can be crucial, especially when performing updates. For instance, if you update the original VM and want those changes reflected on the linked clone, you’ll have to look into various configurations, considering compatibility and what works best for your test environment.
When you're finished with using your linked clone, you might choose to delete it. Know that doing so won’t affect the original VM, which is great. If you’ve decided your testing is complete, and you want to clear out some space, right-click on the linked clone and choose "Remove." It’ll give you a couple of prompts about whether you want to also delete all files, and if you choose to, it’ll free up all that space it was using.
Creating a linked clone in VMware Workstation can seem intimidating at first, especially if you’ve never worked with it before. I know I felt a little lost initially, but it quickly became a part of my routine. It opens up so many possibilities for testing and experimentation. It allows you to manage your resources efficiently without compromising your systems. You approach your projects with more confidence since you know your original setup is safe, and you can always revert back to it if anything goes sideways.
So, whether you want to test software, try out networking scenarios, or maybe even play around with configurations before applying them to a production environment, linked clones can be a fantastic asset. Give it a shot, and you might find it becomes one of your go-to tools in your work as well. It's an awesome feature once you realize how manageable and beneficial it can truly be!
