What feature allows for the quick duplication of a datastore in NetApp systems?

Cloning is a feature in NetApp systems that enables rapid duplication of a datastore. This functionality is particularly beneficial for scenarios such as testing, development, or data analysis, where an exact copy of an existing datastore is needed. Clones are created quickly and do not require significant additional storage space initially, as they leverage the underlying data of the original datastore.

While snapshots allow for point-in-time copies of data, they do not create separate instances of the datastore, which is the key aspect of cloning. Dedupe refers to data optimization by eliminating redundant data blocks, and replication involves creating copies of data across different locations, which can be slower and more resource-intensive. Thus, cloning stands out as the most efficient option for duplicating a datastore quickly in a NetApp environment.