What is the most efficient way to set up multiple virtual machines the same way on a hypervisor?

Cloning is the most efficient way to set up multiple virtual machines on a hypervisor because it allows you to create identical copies of an existing virtual machine. When you clone a virtual machine, all of its configurations, settings, and installed applications are duplicated quickly, which saves significant time compared to configuring each virtual machine from scratch.

This process is particularly useful in scenarios where multiple environments, such as development, testing, or production, require the same setup. By using cloning, administrators can ensure consistency across virtual machines, reduce deployment times, and streamline the management of virtual environments.

In contrast, other options such as storage mirroring, redundancy, and snapshots serve different purposes. Storage mirroring focuses on data protection and redundancy rather than the rapid deployment of identical VMs. Redundancy refers to having backup or failover systems in place, which does not directly contribute to the efficient setup of multiple VMs. Snapshots allow for capturing the state of a virtual machine at a given moment but do not create new, independent copies for deployment.