The linked clone (LC) is an empty disk that will grow overtime according to block changes requested by the Windows GuestOS. I think it is better to demonstrated in a picture.Īfter the replica is created VMware View start creating Linked Clones. In VMware View 4.5 the administrator has the ability to specify a single datastore to hold the replica for an entire vSphere cluster. In VMware View 4 this VM was created in each datastore hosting virtual desktops for the Desktop Pool.

See VMware View Optimization Guide for Windows 7 (VMware) or Mastering VDI Templates updated for Windows7 and PCoIP (my blog).Īfter a Parent VM is assigned to a Desktop Pool a clone (Thin Size) of this VM is created. This is a virtual machine running Windows 7 or XP customised with recommendations for virtual environments. The administrator first creates what is called the Parent VM or Master Image.

So, let’s recapitulate how it works, but now with VMware View 4.5 as some changes apply. VMware Linked Cloning technology is still seen as a dark art by many. What I haven’t explained is how all this happen from a file level perspective in the data stores. I previously discussed the new Storage Tiering feature introduced with VMware View 4.5, and provided high level guidance on how to calculate storage consumption based on use of Replica Disks located in a single datastore.

Vmware thinapp temp folder chage