CompTIA Cloud+ Practice Test

Which method creates a file-based image of a VM's current state and can include the OS and applications?

1. Full backup

2. Snapshot

3. Clone

4. Replicate

The correct answer is: Snapshot

The method that creates a file-based image of a VM's current state, including the operating system and applications, is a snapshot. A snapshot captures the entire state of a virtual machine at a specific point in time, allowing users to return to that exact state if needed. This functionality is crucial in scenarios such as testing software updates, troubleshooting issues, or preparing a VM for a specific task. Creating a snapshot is efficient because it does not require the VM to be powered down and can save time and resources compared to other methods. It allows for rapid recovery and experimentation without the risk of permanent changes to the VM’s environment. While options like full backup, clone, and replicate serve important purposes in data management and VM deployment, they operate differently. A full backup typically involves creating a comprehensive copy of data, which may not be as immediate or user-friendly as reverting to a snapshot. Cloning creates an entirely new virtual machine based on the original but does not capture its immediate state as a snapshot does. Replication involves creating copies of VMs in different locations to enhance availability and disaster recovery, which is distinct from capturing a precise moment in the VM’s lifecycle that a snapshot provides.