ESXi on USB key

[mla_]

Hello,

I like the idea of ESXi installation on USB key. Made a test today on DL380 G7. Used first available Sundisk 4GB stick... Run absolutely fine.

1. I read earlier on this forum about Sundisk particular (recommended) model.

Please advise...

2. How to proceed with backup of the key with ESXi installed on it. I know that the host will continue to function but would like to know how to make a reliable backup.

Thanks.

[Dave_Mishchenko · Accepted solution]

You want a quality USB 2.0 certified key.  A particular brand is not a requirement.

For backup of your ESXi host (the config only) you can use vicfg-cfgbackup from the vCLI or Get-VMHostFirmware from PowerCLI.

vCLI - http://www.vm-help.com/esx/esx3i/esx_3i_rcli/vicfg-cfgbackup.php

PowerCLI - http://blogs.vmware.com/vipowershell/2010/12/better-firmware-management-in-powercli-411.html

In the case of needing to recover you'll run the ESXi install CD, set a management IP address, patch your host to match the version running when the backup was taken, and then restore your backup file.

[mla_]

Thanks Dave.

[BrentS]

Hi All,

     We have this setup running right now, and to do a backup we just schedule a downtime (around 10 minutes) pop the USB key out of the back and then put it into a Linux system and just do a dd of the key.

     We always do this before doing an update/upgrade of the server.

     The command is dd if=/dev/usb<#> of=/<file name path> or if you are using ubuntu then it is dd if=/media/<usb name> of=/<file name path>

     If we then keep a backup USB key by the server that we create from the dd using dd if=/<file name path> of=/dev/usb<#>

     Just make sure that the keys are the same size (we use the Verbatem Tuff and Tiny keys)

     Regards Brent

[DSTAVERT]

You are far better off installing to a new USB stick and restoring the configuration using the script directions that Dave provided. You can use VMware Workstation (or presumably VMware Player) to set up a new install a virtual ESXi machine and restore the configuration. Have it ready to go.