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I am looking for a free way to clone a machine in vsphere.

I am using ESXI 5.0, I cannot seem to find that option.

All my research lead to commercial packages.

Do I need to pay to have that feature?

I need free solution, please do not point me to paid one.

It mentions the following

You must be connected to vCenter Server in order to clone a virtual machine. You cannot clone virtual machines if you connect directly to an ESXi host.

Then I looked into vCenter, to my surprise, it cost $6,044.00

Not trying to be cheap, I don't have this budget yet.

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    This question is still not on topic on this website.
    – Ramhound
    Commented May 8, 2014 at 20:14
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    @LittleBobbyTables I am asking HOW TO CLONE , its not a product, not asking learning material. I am asking how to do it, if it is not possible then its fine, I dont ask for other tool. Jeez!
    – Al Pacino
    Commented May 8, 2014 at 20:25
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    @LittleBobbyTables not necessarily, for example zoredache had a good suggestion to copy files. This is the type of answer I am looking for, not police comments that are not helping me
    – Al Pacino
    Commented May 8, 2014 at 20:38
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    You specifically request software free software and the only way to answer that request is a product recommendation which is not on topic I don't critique. Modify the question so it's not a request for software and I will retract my close vote
    – Ramhound
    Commented May 8, 2014 at 21:34
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    Don't be picky about the wording guys. It's clear that OP is simply looking for any way to clone the VM, not specifically for a pre-made software for that. Remember that we're here to help. Sometimes question may need little adjustments to make it sound on-topic, in those cases just use the Edit button and be nice for others.
    – gronostaj
    Commented May 8, 2014 at 22:11

1 Answer 1

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I`m probably going to get a hand-slap by others, but hey - just helping...

Look here, this guy details how to copy and generalize the image to a template. And before anyone asks, I have done this with older VM workstation and vSphere installation. This guy outlines the instructions better than I can... :-)

Cloning a VM without vcenter in ESXi

Update: Very well - must adhere to etiquette then..

  1. in vSphere client shutdown the vmware image in question (power down)
  2. Select config tab and the storage settings and browse/explore
  3. Copy the root folder by right-clicking and give the copy a new name (Example: copy_template_image).
  4. Select the config file (.vmx) and the virtual disk file (.vmdk) - control button [ctrl] to multi-select and ctrl-c to copy the items.
  5. Paste the two items to the destination folder.
  6. Copy the .vmx file to the Inventory.
  7. Enter a new name for the cloned VM
  8. Use the sysprep utility to generalize the VM.
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    Link-only answers are a no-no. Please include pertinent information directly in your answer(s).
    – Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007
    Commented May 8, 2014 at 20:33
  • That's it , that's all I asked for. You have provided me with what I needed without judging. Cheers!
    – Al Pacino
    Commented May 8, 2014 at 20:39

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