How to use the command virt-clone (with examples)

The virt-clone command is used to clone a libvirt virtual machine. It allows users to create identical copies of existing virtual machines with automatic generation or user-specified settings for the new name, storage path, and MAC address of the cloned machine.

Use case 1: Clone a virtual machine with automatic settings

Code:

virt-clone --original vm_name --auto-clone

Motivation: This use case is helpful when a user wants to clone a virtual machine and automatically generate a new name, storage path, and MAC address. It saves time and effort by simplifying the cloning process with default values.

Explanation:

• --original vm_name: Specifies the name of the original virtual machine that needs to be cloned.
• --auto-clone: Automatically generates a new name, storage path, and MAC address for the cloned virtual machine.

Example output:

Cloning virtual machine "vm_name"...
New virtual machine "vm_name-clone" created.

Use case 2: Clone a virtual machine with user specifications

Code:

virt-clone --original vm_name --name new_vm_name --file path/to/new_storage --mac ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff|RANDOM

Motivation: In certain situations, users may want to specify the new name, storage path, and MAC address for a cloned virtual machine. This use case allows them to have control over the cloning process and customize the settings according to their specific requirements.

Explanation:

• --original vm_name: Specifies the name of the original virtual machine that needs to be cloned.
• --name new_vm_name: Sets the name of the new cloned virtual machine.
• --file path/to/new_storage: Specifies the storage path for the cloned virtual machine.
• --mac ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff|RANDOM: Sets the MAC address for the cloned virtual machine. Users can either provide a specific MAC address or choose the “RANDOM” option to generate a random MAC address.

Example output:

Cloning virtual machine "vm_name"...
New virtual machine "new_vm_name" created.
Storage path: "path/to/new_storage"
MAC address: ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff

Conclusion:

The virt-clone command provides users with flexible options for cloning libvirt virtual machines. Whether they prefer automatic settings or custom specifications for the new cloned virtual machine, this command simplifies the process and allows for efficient replication of virtual machine configurations.