Specifications

Migrating ESX 4.x Files and Settings to ESXi 5.0
The upgrade process preserves as much of the ESX host configuration as possible. However, because of the
architectural differences between ESX 4.x and ESXi 5.0 architecture, many configuration files cannot be
migrated when you select the Migrate option in the ESXi installation or upgrade wizard.
Pertinent VMware files, such as /etc/vmware/esx.conf are migrated, but many existing settings such as
third-party agents and scripts, cannot be migrated.
NOTE If a host contains customizations, such as third-party VIBS or drivers, upgrading with the standard
VMware installer ISO will result in the loss of those customizations, and possibly an unstable system. Use
ESXi Image Builder CLI to create a customized ESXi installer ISO file that includes the VIBs or drivers. See
the information on Image Builder in the vSphere Installation and Setup documentation.
Table 6‑1. Files Migrated During Migration or Upgrade to ESXi
File Migrated Comments
/etc/sfcb/sfcb.cfg
Migrated.
/var/lib/sfcb/registration/repository/root/inte
rop/*
Migrated.
/etc/logrotate.conf
Not migrated. ESXi Logrotation is incompatible with prior
versions.
/etc/localtime
Not migrated. Timezones are not supported in ESXi.
/etc/ntp.conf
Migrated.
/etc/ntp.drift
Migrated.
/etc/ntp.keys
Migrated.
/etc/syslog.conf
Migrated for ESXi, not migrated for ESX.
/etc/security/access.conf
Migrated. Needed for PAM configurations.
/etc/security/login.map
/etc/sysconfig/network
Migrated. Service Console virtual NICs (vswifs) will be
converted to ESXi virtual NICs. (vmks)
/etc/sysconfig/ntp
Not migrated.
/etc/sysconfig/xinetd
Not migrated.
/etc/sysconfig/console/*
Not migrated.
/etc/sysconfig/i18n
Not migrated. i18n is not supported in ESXi
/etc/sysconfig/clock
Not migrated. Timezones are not supported in ESXi.
/etc/sysconfig/crond
Not migrated.
/etc/sysconfig/syslog
Not migrated. The syslog daemon is incompatible with
prior versions.
/etc/sysconfig/keyboard
Migrated. Any entries not supported will default to
English.
/etc/sysconfig/mouse
Not migrated. No mouse support in ESXi.
/etc/sysconfig/static-routes
Migrated.
/etc/sysconfig/static-routes-ipv6
Migrated.
/etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/route-$device
Migrated.
/etc/ssh
Not migrated.
/etc/nsswitch.conf
Migrated. Used generically for various configurations,
most helpful for Active Directory authentication.
Chapter 6 Upgrading and Migrating Your Hosts
VMware, Inc. 79