Restore ESXi 4 config to ESXi 5?

[mgaccess]

Anyone know if it's possible to backup an ESXi 4 config and restore it to a new ESXi 5 server (differnet hardware)?  I have two ESXi 4 hosts and I'm introducing a 3rd host with ESXi 5.  I'd rather not have to recreate all the networks and such, but will if I have to.

I will be upgrading to VMware Essentials soon.

Just FYI, this is not my primary account, when I tried to post it said I didn't have permissions!

[arturka]

Hi

Depends what tool you will use for backup\restore config, if you are thinking use vMA -  forget it - it will never work but if you wanna use PWCLI then should works

Cheers
Artur

Please, don't forget the awarding points for "helpful" and/or "correct" answers.

[mgaccess]

I was just going to use the CLI:

vicfg-cfgbackup.pl -load --server IP_ADDRESS --username root --password xxxxxxx -s esx02.cfg

I don't mind trying it, but if it "works", I just don't want any unseen issues to pop up in the future as a result.  It's probably safer just to re-configure the ESXi 5 host and not gamble.

[arturka]

Hi

I'm afraid that it will not work, for example in vSphere 4.X you can't restore backup from different build. If you wanna restore config it has to be to the exactly the same build while backup was taken. So I'm expecting this same dependency in vSphere 5

Cheers
Artur

Please, don't forget the awarding points for "helpful" and/or "correct" answers.

[RParker]

Possible but not very wise, just start over with a FRESH config or create a script to kickstart.  You dont' want to restore because that means SOME settings may not be applicable to ESX 5 and therefore some changes may be overlooked.

I wouldn't do it.