How to back up ESXi host configuration [Easy Guide]

VMWare ESXi enables administrators to achieve IT savings and boost business operations.
Using servers as virtual machines eases up the backup operation. This guide shows you the best ways to back up your ESXi configuration.
For more guides about data backups and recovery, bookmark our dedicated Data Recovery hub.
Even more step-by-step guides on virtualization can be found on our Virtualization section.

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It is essential to take a periodic backup of any system, especially a server, to maintain a functional operation of your IT infrastructure.

Servers that are run as virtual machines (VMs) on an ESXi host gives a major advantage when taking a VM data backup.

Therefore, having a healthy ESXi host is essential to run a virtual machine successfully.

To guard against any future disaster, taking an ESXi configuration backup is vital because one can quickly restore the system to its initial ESXi configuration.

In this post, we’ll show you the best ways to make a backup for EXSi host configuration.

How do I back up my ESXi Virtual Machine?

1. Back up ESXi using VMWare

VMWare is the number one virtualization and computing software that reduces server workloads by distributing a server’s work across the different physical hosts.

VMWare is primarily used by developers as well as regular system administrators to test programs in a sandbox before applying them to physical computers.

Further, you can easily carry out an ESXi host configuration backup using this application. Below are some reasons why you may want to back up ESXi host configuration using VMWare.

It is fast and reliable
Offers speed when taking backups
Allows users to run multiple virtual server instances.
You are assured of good networking and security.
VMWare has a vast ecosystem.

VMware Workstation Pro

VMware Workstation Pro enables you to easily back up any ESXi VM with just a few clicks of the mouse, so check it out!

2. Back up ESXi host configuration with the ESXi Command Line

Connect to your ESXi host via SSH.

Since ESXi configuration is automatically saved to /bootblank/state.tgz file, ensure your current ESXi configuration is written to the ESXi configuration files, run this command; vim-cmd hostsvc/firmware/sync_config

Run this command: vim-cmd hostsvc/firmware/backup_config

It then sends a link to download the tgz archive from the ESXi host.

Note: You should replace the asterisk with your ESXi host’s IP address in the download link. Get it from ESXi direct console or by inputting the command.

Quickly locate the ESXi configuration backup in /scratch/downloads directory as it won’t stay there for long.

3. Back up ESXi host configuration using PowerCLI

Download and install PowerCLI here. Launch it as an administrator.

Establish a connection to the host with the following command: Connect-VIServer 168.32.11 -user root -password <ZxAzbd>

Run the Get-VMHostFirmware cmdlet with c:\esxi_backups folder as the destination:Get-VMHostFirmware -vmhost 192.168.28.10 -BackupConfiguration -DestinationPath c:\esxi_backups

Input is the c:\esxi_backups folder.

Locate the host configuration file in the folder above; it is a TGZ file format.

Note: Replace 192.168.32.11 with your host user/IP and ZxAzbd with your password in Step 2/3.

4. Back up ESXi host configuration with vSphere CLI

Download both vSphere CLI here and Perl interpreter here or here.

Open your Command Prompt as an administrator

Run this command: cd \Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware vSphere CLI\bin

Run: vicfg-cfgbackup.pl –server=<host IP address> –username=root -s <backup filename>

Input your ESXi‘s root password when requested.

Note: Find out how to avoid DLL issues with your version of the Perl interpreter.

The above methods for backing up ESXi host configuration will all work.

Hence, you can try out anyone that it’s most straightforward for you.

If you have any questions regarding backups for ESXi host configuration, kindly let us know in the comments below.

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Enda Jantzen

Update: 2024-07-08

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