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unsichtbare
Expert
Expert

ESXi Host configuration backup fails

Recently upgraded to: DELLEMC-ESXi-6.0U3-5224934-A03 and  while trying to create a host configuration backup, I get the following result:

C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware vSphere CLI\bin>vicfg-cfgbackup.pl --server=10.2.1.201 --username=root -s c:\cfgbackup.tgz

Enter password:

Restore failed: A general system error occurred: Internal error

I have tried with the vCLI 6.0, vCLI 6.5. Why does it say "restore" failed????

Also, when I try to run the backup from the host, I get:

[root@esxi1:~] vim-cmd hostsvc/firmware/sync_config

[root@esxi1:~] vim-cmd hostsvc/firmware/backup_config

(vmodl.fault.SystemError) {

   faultCause = (vmodl.MethodFault) null,

   reason = "Internal error",

   msg = "Received SOAP response fault from [<cs p:1f2b6498, TCP:localhost:80>]: backupConfiguration

A general system error occurred: Internal error"

}

[root@esxi1:~]

Any ideas? THX

+The Invisible Admin+ If you find me useful, follow my blog: http://johnborhek.com/
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mhampto
VMware Employee
VMware Employee

Hello,

This thread has a couple ways that others have resolved the backup issue: ESXi 5.0 Host Configuration Backup Problem Using vicfg-cfgbackup.pl

Let me know if this helped or if you are still having this issue.

Matt

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unsichtbare
Expert
Expert

I am aware of this thread. Very close, but no solution for me.

Also, this is latest Dell ESXi 6

THX

+The Invisible Admin+ If you find me useful, follow my blog: http://johnborhek.com/
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MichAda
Contributor
Contributor

we are only on 6.0.0_5224934, but I have the same issue right now with 2 of our 3 new dell r630 replacement host factory installed esxi booting from sd memory.

opened ticket with dell >> pushed to VMware >> will update solution if one is found.

1 of the 3 host seemed to be fine for about 4 days, but it just decided to join the problem this morning.

btw...everything updated in dell lifecycle controller also.

VMware is currently at a loss and are due to call back today/tomorrow.

The workaround for now...manually add the downloads directory into scratch directory:

/scratch/downloads

after that, we can grab backups, but after a host reboot, the manually added downloads dir is gone, and no more backup.

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MichAda
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unsichtbare,

did you ever find a solution?  If so, would you mind posting?

I still have the vmware ticket open but no traction so far.

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unsichtbare
Expert
Expert

Open ticket here as well. Hope to get online with VMware this week.

+The Invisible Admin+ If you find me useful, follow my blog: http://johnborhek.com/
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MichAda
Contributor
Contributor

unsichtbare,

I've tested this on one the problem systems and it resolved my issue.

The downloads directory is now persistent across reboots.

If you are not using Emulex drivers, remove ima-be2escsi and scsi-be2iscsi drivers.

See this link:

VMware vSphere 6 on Dell EMC PowerEdge Servers Release Notes

esxcli software vib remove -n scsi-be2iscsi -n ima-be2iscsi

I plan on rolling this out sometime this week to the other Dell host using Dell 6.0 update 3 image.

MichAda
Contributor
Contributor

Rolled this out to 6 more host and it fixed every one of them.

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lexit
Contributor
Contributor

I got this exact error message because i missed the downloads folder.

So i created the downloads folder with command: mkdir /scratch/downloads

and i was able to backup the configs without further problems.

It is a pitty that the command doesn't give better error messages