backup ESXi embedded config

[wb2]

What's the easiest way to backup / restore and ESXi embedded machine's configuration? Can I run a script that would backup each day using a scheduled task? How easy is it to restore it? I have Infrastructure 3.5 update 4 licensed as Enterprise.

[lamw · Accepted solution]

You can use the vCLI/RCLI esxcfg-cfgbackup/vicfg-cfgbackup.pl, take a look at the example at Dave's site:

• *This can be executed on either a Windows/Linux machine installed with the vCLI/RCLI or using VMware VIMA and can be scheduled as a task.

• *You'll be able to backup/restore using --save and --load params

• *Since you're licensed with Enterprise, you'll have full r/w access to the VI API which is necessary for any write operations the vCLI/RCLI is to perform.

=========================================================================

William Lam

VMware vExpert 2009

VMware ESX/ESXi scripts and resources at:

If you find this information useful, please award points for "correct" or "helpful".

[wb2]

Thanks for the link. My next dumb question is where do I get vCLI/RCLI ? Is this 3rd party or part of vmware?

[lamw]

You can download vCLI/RCLI here:

Here's some information about vCLI/RCLI/VIMA/etc.

These are tools created/supported by VMware

=========================================================================

William Lam

VMware vExpert 2009

VMware ESX/ESXi scripts and resources at:

If you find this information useful, please award points for "correct" or "helpful".

[wb2]

I've installed the rcli and attempted to run the command vicfg-cfgbackup but it says it's not recognized as an internal or external command. I must be missing something.

[lamw]

What OS did you install it on? If it's Windows, you'll need to navigate to the RCLI folder and execute the command as it's not setup to be found in the PATH variable.

Try the following and do a dir to see the available comamnds:

C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware VI Remote CLI\bin>

=========================================================================

William Lam

VMware vExpert 2009

VMware ESX/ESXi scripts and resources at:

If you find this information useful, please award points for "correct" or "helpful".

[wb2]

Sorry guys, I just had to reboot the VM. It's working great now. 2 questions though. I noticed the rcli download said update 2. Will this work fine with my ESXi embedded update 4 setup? Also, is this really everything I need to backup all the settings of my ESXi embedded host?

[lamw]

Yes, it'll work on U4. The basic configuration of the ESXi host will be in the backup file, remember this is not a substitute for your VM backup.

=========================================================================

William Lam

VMware vExpert 2009

VMware ESX/ESXi scripts and resources at:

If you find this information useful, please award points for "correct" or "helpful".