ESXi Configuration Backup and Restoration

[srichandj]

Hi,

    We are upgrading our ESXi Host from Esxi 5.0, 821926 build id to ESXi 5.0, 914586.Before the Upgrade I took the ESXi Configuration Backup using vCLI comamnd and the the abckup was successfull

C:\>vicfg-cfgbackup.pl --server=XX.XX.XX.XX --username=root -s ESXi_test1_backu

pvm04.txt

After the upgrade, when Iam trying to resotore the ESXi configuration using the same backup file iam getting the below error.

C:\>vicfg-cfgbackup.pl --server=XX.XX.XX.XX --username=root -f -l ESXi_test1_ba

ckupvm04.txt

Enter password:

The restore operation will reboot the host.

Type 'yes' to continue:

yes

Uploading config bundle to configBundle.tgz ...

Performing restore ...

Restore failed: A general system error occurred: Internal error

Exiting maintenance mode ...

Please Help me on this and your help is really appreciated.

[abhilashhb]

Is it a free ESXi version?

because if its free you will be able to take the backup but not restore it. Just to confirm that's not the issue.

[srichandj]

No...Its a Licensed Version....

[john23]

Why you are using -f option?? Without -f option what is the error message??

[srichandj]

John,

        As the Build Number for my ESXi host is different iam using the -f option.Without using -f option also iam getting the error.Also, Let me know the other ways to take the ESXi configuration backup and restore.Thanks in Advance!

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=204214...

[john23]

I agree with you, the kb says if build are different use -f option for restore.

One point which I observed in KB, It is doing operation in sequence means:

1) Load the host configuration file:

vicfg-cfgbackup.pl --server=ESXi_host_IP_address --username=root -l backup_file

2) Restore operation

vicfg-cfgbackup --server=ESXi_host_IP_address --username=root -r

Can you try in this way, first only give -l option and after that give -f option

-A

[srichandj]

The Below Command will directly restore the ESXi host Configuration  from the backup file...But in my case its getting failed....with the same error message

1) Load the host configuration file:

vicfg-cfgbackup.pl --server=ESXi_host_IP_address --username=root -l backup_file

I guess this command is to restore the ESXi the Original Settings

vicfg-cfgbackup --server=ESXi_host_IP_address --username=root -r

LET ME KNIOW WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE WAYS TO TAKE ESXI Configuration Backup and to restore...As There are so many ESXI Hosts in our environment to upgrade to ESXi 5.0, 914586 Build id...Also let me know if there are any Pre requests are there for restoration?