Download & install VMware Infrastructure Remote CLI from VMWare web site : http://www.vmware.com/download/download.do?downloadGroup=VI-RCLI-U2
Before all enable SSH on your ESXi, to do that follow this procedure : http://www.vm-help.com/esx40i/ESXi_enable_SSH.php
Backup procedure :
1. Open SSH connection to your ESXi with "putty"
2. Backup your "/bootbank/oem.tgz" file to a datastore :
Sample cmd : cp /bootbank/oem.tgz /vmfs/volumes/[datastore]/tmp/
3. Open "RCLI Command Prompt"
4. Add "Perl\bin" directory to default windows path with command :
cmd : set path=%path%;"C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware VI Remote CLI\Perl\bin"
3. Backup ESXi configuration to a local file :
Sample cmd : vicfg-cfgbackup.pl --server [server_name_or_ip] -s [backup_file_name]
Restore procedure :
1. Open "RCLI Command Prompt"
2. Add "Perl\bin" directory to default windows path with command :
cmd : set path=%path%;"C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware VI Remote CLI\Perl\bin"
3. Restore ESXi configuration from the local backup file :
Sample cmd : vicfg-cfgbackup.pl --server [server_name_or_ip] -l [backup_file_name]
4. Reboot ESXi
5. Open SSH connection to your ESXi with "putty"
6. Restore your "/bootbank/oem.tgz" file from the datastore :
Sample cmd : cp /vmfs/volumes/[datastore]/tmp/oem.tgz /bootbank/
7. Reboot ESXi