To provide users access to instant-clone desktops, you must create an instant-clone desktop pool. Instant-Clone Desktop PoolsAn instant-clone desktop pool is an automated desktop pool created from a golden image using the vmFork technology (called instant clone API) in vCenter Server. Instant Clone Image Publishing and Creation Workflow Publishing an image is a process by which internal VMs needed for instant cloning are created from a golden image and its snapshot. This process only happens once per image and may take some time. Worksheet for Creating an Instant-Clone Desktop Pool When you create an instant-clone desktop pool, you can configure certain options. You can use this worksheet to record your configuration options before you create the pool. Create an Instant-Clone Desktop Pool Horizon 8 creates the instant-clone desktop virtual machines (VMs) based on the settings that you specify when you create the pool. Configure Instant Clones with vSphere Virtual Machine EncryptionYou can configure instant clones to use the vSphere Virtual Machine Encryption feature so that instant-clone desktops have the same encryption keys. Guest Customization for Instant Clones in VMware HorizonThere are two options for customizing instant clone virtual machines during the creation process: VMware ClonePrep or Microsoft Sysprep. Enabling VBS and vTPM for an Instant-Clone Desktop PoolYou can enable Microsoft VBS and add a Virtual Trusted Platform Module (vTPM) device to instant-clone desktop pools. Configuring 3D Rendering Options for Instant-Clone PoolsWhen you create or edit a desktop pool of virtual machines, you can configure 3D graphics rendering for your desktops. You must configure 3D settings in ESXi hosts and in the golden image in vSphere Client. Configure Number of Monitors and Screen ResolutionYou can specify the number of monitors and resolution for your instant-clone desktop pool in the vSphere Client by setting those parameters in the golden image and taking a snapshot. Allow Reuse of Existing Computer AccountsYou can configure instant-clones to reuse existing AD computer account names. Patching an Instant-Clone Desktop PoolTo patch a pool of instant-clone desktops, you can use the push-image operation for a rolling patching process with zero downtime. Monitor a Push-Image OperationYou can monitor the progress of a push-image operation on an instant-clone desktop pool. Reschedule or Cancel a Push-Image OperationYou can reschedule or cancel a push-image operation on an instant-clone desktop pool. Perform Maintenance on Instant-Clone Hosts You can perform maintenance on hosts where instant clones reside by putting the ESXi hosts into maintenance mode. You can use the vSphere Web Client to put the ESXi host into maintenance mode. Instant-Clone Maintenance UtilitiesOn the Connection Server are three utilities that you can use for the maintenance of instant-clone VMs in vCenter Server and the clusters that the VMs are in.
