How to Clone a Linux VM

Cloning a VM using ESXi's web client can be done in a few simple steps:

1. Use the datastore browser to create a new directory and copy the .vmx and .vmdk files.
2. Register the VM.
3. Rename the VM by clicking, "Edit", "VM Options" and expand "General Options". This will allow you to see what directory the VM is in and let you change the "VM Name".
4. Start the VM. Choose "I copied it".
5. Edit the file "/etc/hostname" to create a new hostname.
6. To prevent duplicate IPv6 link-local addresses, delete the file "/etc/machine-id" and run "systemd-machine-id-setup" to recreate it.
7. reboot