How to Backup and Restore the VMware ESXi 6.x Configuration

Backup Configuration

• Connect via SSH to your running ESXi Host
• Run to backup config from host

  vim-cmd hostsvc/firmware/backup_config

  

• Config saved under /scratch/downloads
  
• Copy config to a safe location

Restore Configuration

• Run enter maintenance mode

  vim-cmd hostsvc/maintenance_mode_enter

• Run to restore config

  vim-cmd hostsvc/firmware/restore_config /tmp/configBundle.tgz

  

Restore Configuration on a blank machine

• Install Host
  • Install the new host with the same ESXi Version and Build
  • Follow the installation assistent
  • Reboot machine
• ISO
  • Create a ISO with your backuped configBundle.tgz
  • Burn ISO or Load ISO as Virtual Drive in your LOM
• ESXi Shell
  • From the Direct Console User Interface, press F2 and Login to access the System Customization menu.
  • Click Troubleshooting Options.
  • Select Enable ESXi Shell and press Return to Enabled.
  • Press Alt+F1 to open the ESXi Shell
• Mount CD-ROM
  • Load the iso9660 module with

    vmkload_mod iso9660

    

  • Find the Path to the CD-ROM with

    esxcfg-mpath -l | grep -i cd-rom

    

  • Set the loaded module to the CD-ROM

    vsish -e set /vmkModules/iso9660/mount <mpx.vmhba33:C0:T0:L0>

  • Now you can see the CD-ROM in the "ls /vmfs/volumes/"
• Restore config
  • Copy config from mounted CD-ROM Drive to tmp

    cp /vmfs/volumes/<CDROM ISO9660 NAME>/CONFIGBU.TGZ /tmp/configBundle.tgz

  • Run to enter maintenance mode

    vim-cmd hostsvc/maintenance_mode_enter

  • Run to restore config

    vim-cmd hostsvc/firmware/restore_config /tmp/configBundle.tgz

    

[via]https://graspingtech.com/backup-vmware-esxi-6-5-configuration/[/via]
[via]https://www.techcrumble.net/2017/05/how-to-mount-the-host-cd-rom-to-the-esxi-shell/[/via]
[via]https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/2004746[/via]