Backing up ESXi host configuration data
ESXi Command Line
To synchronize the configuration changed with persistent storage, run this command:
vim-cmd hostsvc/firmware/sync_config
To backup the configuration data for an ESXi host, run this command:
vim-cmd hostsvc/firmware/backup_config
Note: The command should output a URL in which a web browser may be used to download the file. For example :
Bundle can be downloaded at : http://*/downloads/123456/configBundle-xx.xx.xx.xx.tgz
Where * denotes the host IP/FQDN.
The backup file is also located in the /scratch/downloads directory as configBundle-HostFQDN.tgz
Restoring ESXi host configuration data
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In ESXi Command Line:
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 numeric 1 as force option to override the UUID mismatch. For example, vim-cmd hostsvc/firmware/restore_config 1 /tmp/configBundle.tgz
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Put the host into maintenance mode by running the command:
vim-cmd hostsvc/maintenance_mode_enter
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Copy the backup configuration file to a location accessible by the host and run the command:
In this case, the configuration file was copied to the host's /tmp directory. For more information, see Using SCP to copy files to or from an ESX host (1918).
vim-cmd hostsvc/firmware/restore_config /tmp/configBundle.tgz
Note: Executing this command will initiate an automatic reboot of the host after command completion.