You can use PowerCLI to create virtual machines templates and convert them to virtual machines on vCenter Server.

Note

A virtual machine template is a reusable image created from a virtual machine. The template, as a derivative of the source virtual machine, includes virtual hardware components, an installed guest operating system, and software applications.

Verify that you are connected to a vCenter Server system.

1

Create a template from the VM1 virtual machine.

New-Template -VM VM1 -Name VM1Template -Location (Get-Datacenter DC )
2

Convert the VM1Template template for use by a virtual machine named VM3.

Get-Template VM1Template | Set-Template -ToVM -Name VM3
3

Create a template from the VM2 virtual machine.

New-Template -VM VM2 -Name VM2Template -Location (Get-Datacenter DC )
4

Convert the VM2Template template to a virtual machine named VM4.

Get-Template VM2Template | Set-Template -ToVM -Name VM4
5

Convert the VM4 virtual machine to a template.

Set-VMVM VM4 –ToTemplateName “VM4Template”
6

Create a template called VM3Template by cloning VM2Template.

Get-Template VM2Template | New-Template -Name VM3Template –VMHost $targetVMHost