Create a template from a vApp

In your VDC it is possible to save a vApp as a template so that it can be used to quickly bring up new vApp that are clones of the original.  This can be useful if you build a base line version of VMs in a vApp that you will want to create clones of and then customise further, as it will greatly reduce the setup time required when making new vApps.

Step 1:  Create a catalog for the new template

If you have previously created a catalog for other templates, and would like to use it, then you can skip this step.

Once you have logged into your VDC, click on Libraries in the top menu.  Then click Catalogs in the left hand menu, and New at the top of the catalogs.

At a minimum you will need to name and save the new catalog.  If the storage profile is not specified, then the default storage policy on the first VDC in the org will be used.

It may be more useful to select a specific datastore.  Because disk I/O is not as important for a catalog of templates, it is recommended to use a slower tier of storage for your catalogues, that way your faster storage can be saved for your production VMs.

To select a specific storage policy for the new catalog tick "Pre-provision on specific storage policy".  Then select the Org VDC that the storage policy is assigned too, and select the storage policy you wish to use.

Finally, click OK to create the new catalog.

Step 2: Create a template from a vApp

Next, you will need to turn a vApp into a template, which will be saved in the catalog we have made previously.  Click on Data Centers in the top menu, then select the VDC that has the vApp you are looking to save as a template.

In the left hand menu select vApps to display your vApps.

In actions of the vApp you are saving as a template, select Create Template.

Next, select the catalog made in step 1, and name the new template.

Near the bottom there is an additional setting "When using this template".  By default "Customize VM settings" is selected, and this means that when a new VM is created from the template you will be given the option to adjust some of the settings for the VMs in the vApp.  If you will not need to adjust any settings when instantiating a new vApp from the template, then you may select "Make Identical Copy".  Generally, the default is set here, as often some VM customisations are required when instantiating a vApp from a template; however, this is entirely dependant on your use case for the template.

Once done, click OK.

In the Recent Tasks, near the bottom of the page, you will see the template creation process.

Step 3:  Create a new vApp from the template

Once it is done, you can instantiate a new vApp from the from the template you have jsut created.  In the vApps page in your VDC, click New above the vapps, and select "Add vApp From Catalog". 

All that is required now is to follow the wizard for creating a vApp from a template, using your new template.