Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Clone a Virtual Machine in the vSphere Client
Cloning a virtual machine creates a duplicate of the virtual machine with the same configuration and installed software as the original.
Optionally, you can customize the guest operating system of the clone to change the virtual machine name, network settings, and other properties. This prevents conflicts that can occur if a virtual machine and a clone with identical guest operating system settings are deployed simultaneously.
Prerequisites
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.
Reference:
https://pubs.vmware.com/vsphere-50/index.jsp?topic=%2Fcom.vmware.vsphere.vm_admin.doc_50%
2FGUID-5C504B67-CDB3-42FC-8B3B-737201A725DD.html