How to backup ESXi server configuration
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Back up an ESXi host configuration using the current host firmware backup workflow.
Validation status
Reviewed against Broadcom VMware KB 313510, current as of 25 September 2026.
Record build and recovery information
Broadcom documents build/UUID requirements for restore, and TPM-backed host configuration on newer ESXi releases can add recovery constraints. Record the host build, UUID and any required encryption recovery material with the backup.
Create a host configuration backup
Synchronise the current configuration to persistent storage:
Synchronise configuration
vim-cmd hostsvc/firmware/sync_config
Create the backup:
Create configuration bundle
vim-cmd hostsvc/firmware/backup_config
The command returns a URL for the generated configBundle-*.tgz. Download it promptly and store it off-host.
Check the installed build:
Display ESXi version and build
vmware -vl
Restore
Follow the Broadcom procedure for the target release and place the host into the appropriate maintenance state.
Restore can reboot the host
Evacuate or stop workloads and follow the cluster maintenance procedure before restoring a host configuration.
Restore a configuration bundle
vim-cmd hostsvc/firmware/restore_config 0