def list_nodes_min(call=None):
    '''
    Return a list of the VMs that are on the provider. Only a list of VM names and
    their state is returned. This is the minimum amount of information needed to
    check for existing VMs.

    .. versionadded:: 2015.8.0

    CLI Example:

    .. code-block:: bash

        salt-cloud -f list_nodes_min my-linode-config
        salt-cloud --function list_nodes_min my-linode-config
    '''
    if call == 'action':
        raise SaltCloudSystemExit(
            'The list_nodes_min function must be called with -f or --function.'
        )

    ret = {}
    nodes = _query('linode', 'list')['DATA']

    for node in nodes:
        name = node['LABEL']
        this_node = {
            'id': six.text_type(node['LINODEID']),
            'state': _get_status_descr_by_id(int(node['STATUS']))
        }

        ret[name] = this_node

    return ret