Backing up ESXi host configuration data

Using the ESXi Command Line

To synchronize the configuration changed with persistent storage, run the command:

vim-cmd hostsvc/firmware/sync_config

To backup the configuration data for an ESXi host, run the command:

vim-cmd hostsvc/firmware/backup_config

Note: The command should output a URL in which a web browser may be used to download the file. The backup file is located in the/scratch/downloads directory as configBundle-<HostFQDN>.tgz

The backup file should be move to the local datastore e.g. /vmfs/volumes/local1/ESXi_Backup/ if you aew noting going to download the file by the URL 

Using the ESXi Command Line:

Note: When restoring configuration data, the build number of the host must match the build number of the host that created the backup file.

1. Put the host into maintenance mode by running the command:
   
   vim-cmd hostsvc/maintenance_mode_enter
2. Copy the backup configuration file to a location accessible by the host and run the command:
   
   In this case, the configuration file was copied to the host's /tmp directory. For more information, see Using SCP to copy files to or from an ESX host (1918).

vim-cmd hostsvc/firmware/restore_config /tmp/configBundle.tgz

Note: Executing this command will initiate an automatic reboot of the host after command completion.

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=2042141

SW ,HW,OS Compatibility note

I am trying to gather links and resource in terms of checking Compatibility when design, deploy or upgrade...

The VMware Compatibility Guide shows the certification status of operating system releases for use as a Guest OS by the following VMware products:
• VMware ESXi/ESX Server 3.0 and later
• VMware Workstation 6.0 and later
• VMware Fusion 2.0 and later
• VMware ACE 2.0 and later
• VMware Server 2.0 and later
http://partnerweb.vmware.com/comp_guide2/pdf/VMware_GOS_Compatibility_Guide.pdf

VMware Compatibility Guide Portal:
VMware provides support only for the devices that are listed in this document

http://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/search.php

Correlating VMware products build numbers to update levels (1014508)

VMware vSphere and vCloud suite build numbers table

This table provides a list of all VMware vSphere and vCloud suite build numbers and release dates. The build numbers are based on full installations. Patching ESXi/ESX hosts increments the build number that shows in vCenter Server.

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=1014508


Enhanced vMotion Compatibility (EVC) processor support (1003212)
For hosts in cluster with different version of CPU

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=1003212




IBM servers OS support
http://www-03.ibm.com/systems/info/x86servers/serverproven/compat/us/nos/vmware.html