How to differ linked clone from a full clone in VirtualBox?

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Basically these are the definitions:

  • Full-clone: A full clone is an independent copy of a virtual machine that shares nothing with the parent virtual machine after the cloning operation. Ongoing operation of a full clone is entirely separate from the parent virtual machine
  • Linked-clone: A linked clone is a copy of a virtual machine that shares virtual disks with the parent virtual machine in an ongoing manner. This conserves disk space, and allows multiple virtual machines to use the same software installation

Linked clones have their own virtual disk but this is just a differential disk that contains new files or whatever that the parent virtual machine didn't have when the snapshot of that linked clone was created.

The main difference is that full-clone are independent virtual machines and linked-clones are dependent virtual machines because linked clones need the parent virtual disk as their base-virtual-disk.

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zlenyk
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zlenyk

Updated on July 05, 2022

Comments

  • zlenyk
    zlenyk over 1 year

    I've got a list of virtual machines. I know that most of them are only clones of a few base ones. How to determine if a VM is a full clone or a linked clone? Do linked clones have their own disks or are these only differencing images of their base?

  • Wes
    Wes almost 6 years
    Sorry to ask about such an old topic. Is there any performance implications when using linked VM's? If I want 3 VM's, should I create a base VM and then 3 additional linked linked, or just the base one and 2 linked clones?
  • Melebius
    Melebius almost 6 years
    @Wes Feel fre to start a new question. However, you should ask on Super User since this topic is not directly related to programming.
  • Armali
    Armali almost 5 years
    Use correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar to the best of your ability.
  • Macindows
    Macindows almost 3 years
    Glad to hear that you are facing no issues with multiple linked clones.. I was wondering the same, if I create a linked clone, will the changes to the linked VM reflect on the host VM?