Which feature allows an administrator to implement master copies of virtual machines to create ready-for-use virtual machines?

Templates are a fundamental feature in VMware that enable administrators to create master copies of virtual machines (VMs). When a template is created, it is a pre-configured VM that can be deployed multiple times to produce ready-for-use VMs quickly and efficiently. This means that all the settings, application configurations, and operating system installations that are part of the template are preserved and can be replicated whenever needed.

Using templates not only saves time when provisioning new VMs but also ensures consistency across deployments. Any changes made to the template can be updated and reflected in future VMs created from it, promoting standardization within the data center environment.

In contrast, custom attributes are used for labeling and categorizing resources in vCenter Server, but they do not provide a mechanism for creating or deploying VMs. Snapshots are useful for capturing the state of a VM at a particular point in time, allowing for rollback, but they do not serve as master copies for new VM creation. Resource pools help manage the allocation of resources among VMs but do not create or replicate VMs. Thus, templates are the correct choice for implementing master copies for provisioning virtual machines efficiently.