This explains how to add a cron job to ESXi host. And later make it reboot persistent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Firstly, add the cron job to the root crontab:
Edit \/var\/spool\/cron\/crontabs\/root<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Add the line (all on one line) <\/p>\n\n\n\n Once we know the process number of the running crond, such as 12345. Run following command:<\/p>\n\n\n\n “12345” should be replaced with the number output by the previous command Now, add a command to \/etc\/rc.local.d\/local.sh to re-generate the cron job when ESX\/ESXi reboots<\/p>\n\n\n\n Edit \/etc\/rc.local.d\/local.sh, using a command such as <\/p>\n\n\n\n At the end of the file, add 3 lines (using “G” then “O” in vi). Warning:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n As you can see in the local.sh file, this script will not be executed if the host has Secure Boot enable<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n References:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gathering esxtop performance data using cronjobs<\/a> This explains how to add a cron job to ESXi host. And later make it reboot persistent. Firstly, add the cron job to the root crontab:Edit \/var\/spool\/cron\/crontabs\/root # vi \/var\/spool\/cron\/crontabs\/root Add the line (all on one line) 5 0 * *<\/p>\n Continue ReadingESXi – Add cron Job<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span>\t# vi \/var\/spool\/cron\/crontabs\/root<\/code><\/p>\n\n\n\n5 0 * * * \/full\/path\/to\/script arguments\/with\/full\/path > \/full\/path\/to\/logfile 2>&1<\/code>
Run the following command to detect the process number under which crond is running.<\/p>\n\n\n\n# cat \/var\/run\/crond.pid<\/code><\/p>\n\n\n\n# kill -HUP 1234<\/code><\/p>\n\n\n\n
In order to restart the crond process use this command:<\/p>\n\n\n\n# \/usr\/lib\/vmware\/busybox\/bin\/busybox crond<\/code>
This allow us now to test the correct working of the cronjob. Now we must make it persistent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n# vi \/etc\/rc.local.d\/local.sh<\/code><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first kills crond, the second adds the new cron job to the root crontab file, ad the third restarts crond:
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\/bin\/kill $(cat \/var\/run\/crond.pid)
\/bin\/echo '5 0 * * * \/full\/path\/to\/script arguments\/with\/full\/path > \/full\/path\/to\/logfile 2>&1' >> \/var\/spool\/cron\/crontabs\/root
\/usr\/lib\/vmware\/busybox\/bin\/busybox crond<\/code><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Save and exit the editor (Press the “Esc” key then “:wq” then press “Return” in vi)
Run the command “auto-backup.sh” so that the change to \/etc\/rc.local survives a reboot.
Every time you change the cron job, remember to update \/etc\/rc.local as well and run the “auto-backup.sh” command to backup the new \/etc\/rc.local file.<\/p>\n\n\n\n# autobackup.sh<\/code><\/p>\n\n\n\n
ESXi – Add cron Job<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"