How to backup ESXi server configuration
How to backup ESXi server configuration to remote location or local.
Using the vSphere CLI:
vicfg-cfgbackup --server=ESXi_host --username=root -s output_file_name.tgz
Using the vSphere CLI for Windows:
vicfg-cfgbackup.pl --server=ESXi_host_IP_address --username=root -s output_file_name.tgz
Using the vSphere PowerCLI:
Get-VMHostFirmware -VMHost ESXi_host -BackupConfiguration -DestinationPath output_directory
Using the ESXi Command Line:
vim-cmd hostsvc/firmware/backup_config
Note: The command above should output a URL in which a web browser may be used to download the file. The backup file is located in the /scratch/downloads directory as configBundle-HostFQDN.tgz
Local Backup Log in via tech support mode (local console or ssh).
backup.sh 0
Restoring ESXi host configuration data Restoring the host configuration restores the state of the ESXi along with the vSphere standard switch networking configuration.
Note: When restoring configuration data, the build number of the host must match the build number of the host on backup file and UUID (can be obtained using the command "esxcfg-info -u") of the host should match the UUID of the host on backup file. Use the -f option (force) to override the UUID mismatch.
Using the vSphere CLI:
vicfg-cfgbackup --server=ESXi_host --username=root -l backup_file
Using the vSphere CLI for Windows:
vicfg-cfgbackup.pl --server=ESXi_host --username=root -l backup_file
Using the vSphere Power CLI:
Set-VMHost -VMHost ESXi_host -State 'Maintenance' Set-VMHostFirmware -VMHost ESXi_host -Restore -SourcePath backup_file -HostUser username -HostPassword password
Using the ESXi Command Line: (Use numeric 1 as force option to override the UUID mismatch.)
vim-cmd hostsvc/maintenance_mode_enter vim-cmd hostsvc/firmware/restore_config /tmp/configBundle.tgz