Can virtual machine templates be created by methods other than converting or cloning?

The assertion that virtual machine templates can only be made by converting or cloning is not fully accurate. Virtual machine templates serve as a blueprint for creating new virtual machines and can indeed be created through various methods.

Among the valid methods is the ability to import virtual machine images directly from storage. This means that if you have an existing virtual machine image stored in some format, you can import it to be used as a template without needing to clone or convert an existing virtual machine manually. This allows for flexibility in how templates can be created and used.

Additionally, scripts can be used to automate the process of template creation, leveraging tools and APIs provided by cloud services or virtualization platforms. This method can streamline the template creation process, enabling administrators to programmatically define and set up templates.

Lastly, while configuring hardware settings is part of the template definition process, it is not a standalone method for creating templates. The initial creation of a template typically involves a broader process than merely adjusting settings.

Therefore, the ability to create virtual machine templates using various methods beyond just converting or cloning reflects the capabilities of various virtualization and cloud environments, emphasizing the flexibility in managing virtual resources.