VMware vSphere 4.0 Remote Client: How to clone a virtual machine

This solution entails cloning an existing virtual machine within VMware vSphere 4.0 Remote Client without involving great complexity.

1. Shutdown the virtual machine that will be cloned within the inventory screen of the remote client.
2. Ensure that the virtual machine to be cloned is selected and inactive, then select "File -> Export -> Export OVF Template..." from the menu bar at the header of the client.
3. None of the details you provide in the pop-up window will be of prime importance; however, make sure that the template is named logically and the path is one that is easily remembered and accessed. When all details are given, press OK.
4. The creation of the template varies in duration, but the process will last from anywhere between 10 minutes and 2 hours.
5. Once the template is created, within the remote client itself, select "File -> Deploy OVF Template...".
6. In the pop-up window, select the radio button "Deploy from file" and browse your hard drive for the the exported template, which should be saved under the path you specified in step 3.
7. Continue through the screens and provide a non-conflicting name for the new virtual machine and an appropriate location, then commence the creation of the cloned virtual machine.
8. The creation of the cloned virtual machine lasts about as long as the time it took to create the template.
9. The cloned virtual machine is now ready to be started and utilized.

The greatest part of this method is the ability to quickly create another clone from that same template file in future; consequently, it serves as both a backup and a way to duplicate the original virtual machine. Feel free to comment to propose a better or alternate way to do this.