VMWare ESXi Host Backup/Restore Syntax

Purpose: The purpose of this document is to outline the current process and format for backing up the ESXi firmware configuration, should the need arise to restore the server to its previous state due to unforeseen circumstances.

Please note that this is different then a vm server instance backup, it is for the main ESXi host only and is for example purposes only – customize the syntax to fit your environment and standards.

Version ESXi 5.x

Step 1.)

Choose a location and folder to house the backup (e.g C:\Backups\)

Step 2.)

Using the general syntax below to craft the actual backup command syntax (also see Example section)

vicfg-cfgbackup.pl --server <name or IP> --username root --password <Password> -s "<Destination Location_Date.txt>"

Step 2a.)

Using the general syntax below to craft the load (restore) command syntax (also see Example section)

vicfg-cfgbackup.pl --server <name or IP> --username root --password <Password> -l "<Destination Location_Date.txt>"

Example(s):

Backup

vicfg-cfgbackup.pl --server 192.xx.xx.xxx --username root --password ChangeMe -s "C:\Backups\ServerName_02_25_15.txt"

Restore

vicfg-cfgbackup.pl --server 192.xx.xx.xxx --username root --password ChangeMe -l "C:\Backups\ServerName_02_25_15.txt"

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Slack Consulting 02/2015