Which method should a development team use to rapidly replicate hundreds of virtual machines (VMs) for load testing?

Using instant clones through the vSphere API is an efficient method for rapidly replicating hundreds of virtual machines for load testing. Instant clones allow for quick and efficient creation of VMs that share the same base image, which significantly reduces the time and storage resources required compared to traditional cloning methods.

Instant clones work by leveraging existing VMs, which means they can be created almost instantaneously. As they share the same base disk, they require far less storage than full clones, making them ideal for scenarios where many temporary VMs are needed, such as load testing. Additionally, the vSphere API enables these operations to be automated, streamlining the process of deploying and managing a large number of VMs.

In contrast, linked clones from a content library, while they save storage space, may not be as efficient for rapid deployment as instant clones in terms of performance and speed, especially under high-demand scenarios like load testing. Full clones, whether created from a template or using Auto Deploy, would take significantly longer and require more storage because each VM is a complete standalone copy. This makes them less suitable for environments where speed and scalability are critical, such as when preparing for load testing.