Symptom(s)
Detailed Symptoms/Errors:
A backup of ESXi is needed. Backups are needed when replacing a USB dongle or upgrading ESXi. It is important to note that the version of ESXi needs to match the version the backup was taken from.
Issue
Summary:
This document will provide instructions for creating backups for ESXi and the process to restore the backup. Before performing an ESXi upgrade a backup should always be taken. It is important to understand that Broadcom recommends when performing a restore of the ESXi configuration that the version of ESXi matches the backed up configuration.
High level:
1.)Enable SSH
2.)root\password
3.)vim-cmd hostsvc/firmware/sync_config
4.)vim-cmd hostsvc/firmware/backup_config
5.)Bundle can be downloaded at : http://*/downloads/522be498-135a-86cd-2536-c33b0d837057/configBundle-localhost.localdomain.tgz
6.)Change the * to the IP address of ESXi and download the file locally then rename to configBundleHOST01.tgz
7.)vmware -vl
8.) take note of the version running as it needs to be the same for restore
Environment
Product Details:
Product/Application: ALL
Module: ESXi
Build/Version: Any
Associated Inc # : N/A
Associated Dev Ops #: N/A
Resolved in versions: N/A
Resolution
Resolution:
Backup Process:
1.) Enable SSH for ESXi:
2.) Login to SSH with root\password for that host(i.e. 10.192.3.51) using Putty:
3.) Enter the following commands:
vim-cmd hostsvc/firmware/sync_config
vim-cmd hostsvc/firmware/backup_config
4.) Note the following line:
Bundle can be downloaded at : http://*/downloads/52e9ccbf-c86e-8d12-cc6c-17846faeec29/configBundle-HOST01.Premier-One.local.tgz
Change the * to the IP address of ESXi and download the file locally.
If that doesn’t work, verify the location and then login via WinSCP and copy the file from there:
5.) Enter the following command:
vmware –vl
Take note of the version running as it needs to be the same for restore