To create a pool of Linux desktops, you must first create a Linux virtual machine (VM) and prepare the operating system for remote desktop deployment.

You can create an automated pool of desktop machines by cloning a vCenter Server VM. Before you create the desktop pool, you need to prepare and configure this VM, which is used as the base image to spawn cloned virtual desktops.

  • For instant-clone desktop pools, the base image is called a golden image.
  • For full-clone desktop pools, the base image is called a Template Virtual Machine.

This chapter is applicable if you are using vSphere to create automated or manual desktop pools of virtual machines.