vSphere Configuration Backup

[Chris C]

Is anyone aware of a way to backup the configuration of an ESXi/vSphere 5.5 server (free)? I can create a backup w/ the vSphere CLI, but apparently for the free version of ESXi, the API that these scripts use are read-only.

I accidentally deleted the vmtools folder on the server that holds the iso files to install the vmware tools to various OSs; I was smart enough to install the same version on the same hardware and copy the folder back over, but I'm still getting some weird errors. I'd like to just reload ESXi on my prod server and have the files back (and my understanding is that the storage of the VMs will still be present and ESXi will be able to import and use them easily).

At a loss right now as to what I can reasonably do; and while I don't really NEED the vmware-tools on the guest OSs, it is very nice to have for a few things.

Open to any thoughts/tips/suggestions!

Thanks!