Discontinued stickybit files on ESX.
Article ID: 312190
Updated On:
Products
Issue/Introduction
As part of our goal of having a single source of truth for configurations on ESXi, we are discontinuing using stickybit files as the primary source of configurations. Each release since 7.0 has had more and more sticky files discontinued. ConfigStore is the source of truth now and stores all the configurations. This document discusses the various files that have either been removed or are present but no longer exist as writable stickybit files. Any file not listed here would not be impacted and continue to work as before.
Environment
VMware vSphere ESXi 7.0.1
VMware vSphere ESXi 8.0
VMware vSphere ESXi 7.0.2
VMware vSphere ESXi 8.0.1
VMware vSphere ESXi 7.0.3
Resolution
Impacted Stickybit Files
| File Name | Impact | Affected Release | Documentation |
| /etc/vmware/welcome | Removed | 7.0 |
Refer to KB article: https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/82637 |
| /etc/keymap | Removed | 7.0 |
Refer to KB article: https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/82637 |
| /etc/vmware/uidmap.json | Removed | 7.0 | Not supported anymore. |
| /etc/krb5.realms /etc/krb5.acl /etc/krb5.mkey |
Removed | 7.0 | Not supported anymore. |
| /etc/vmware/assign-hw.conf | Removed | 7.0 | Not supported anymore. |
| /etc/vmware/support | Read only. | 7.0 | Modification not supported anymore. |
| /etc/security/pam_env.conf | Read only. | 7.0 | Modification not supported anymore. |
| /etc/vmware/hostd/cmdMo.xml | Read only. | 7.0 | Modification not supported anymore. |
| /etc/vmware/hostd/dynMethodInvalidationBroker.xml | Read only. | 7.0 | Modification not supported anymore. |
| /etc/vmware/hostd/dynMethodPriv.xml | Read only. | 7.0 | Modification not supported anymore. |
| /etc/vmware/vsan/vsan-policy-cluster /etc/vmware/vsan/vsan-policy-vdisk /etc/vmware/vsan/vsan-policy-vmnamespace /etc/vmware/vsan/vsan-policy-vmswap /etc/vmware/vsan/vsan-policy-vmem |
Removed | 7.0 | Not supported anymore. |
| /etc/vmware/vsan/vsan_kms_pwd | Removed | 7.0 | Not supported anymore. |
| /etc/vmware/smart_plugin.conf | Removed | 7.0 | Not supported anymore. |
| /etc/vmware/nas/nas.conf | Removed | 7.0-U1 | Not supported anymore. |
| /etc/vmware/ima_plugin.conf | Removed | 7.0-U2 | Not supported anymore. |
| /etc/vmware/vmkiscsid/initiatorname.iscsi | Removed | 7.0-U2 | Not supported anymore. |
| /etc/vmware/vmkiscsid/iscsid.conf | Removed | 7.0-U2 | Not supported anymore. |
| /etc/vmware/lunTimestamps.log | Removed | 7.0-U2 | Not supported anymore. |
| /etc/sfcb/sfcb.cfg | Removed | 7.0-U2 | Refer to KB article https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/82638 |
| /etc/vmware/snmp.xml | Removed | 7.0-U2 | Refer to KB article https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/82638 |
| /etc/vmsyslog.conf | Read only. | 7.0-U2 | Refer to KB article https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/82638 |
| /etc/vmsyslog.conf.d | Read only. | 7.0-U2 | Refer to KB article https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/82638 |
|
/etc/vmsyslog.conf.d/<id.conf> Eg: /etc/vmsyslog.conf.d/loadESX.conf |
Read only. | 7.0-U2 | Refer to KB article https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/82638 |
| /etc/vmsyslog.conf.d/esxapiadapter.conf | Removed | 7.0-U2 | Not supported anymore. |
| /etc/vmsyslog.conf.d/PyVsanMOProvider.conf | Read only. | 7.0-U2 | Refer to KB article https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/82638 |
| /etc/vmsyslog.conf.d/vsandpd.conf | Removed | 7.0-U2 | Not supported anymore. |
| /etc/vmsyslog.conf.d/ddecomd.conf | Removed | 7.0-U2 | Not supported anymore. |
| /etc/vmsyslog.conf.d/vsanrpd.conf | Removed | 7.0-U2 | Not supported anymore. |
| /etc/vmware/logfilters | Read only. | 7.0-U2 | Refer to KB article https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/82638 |
| /etc/vmware/vmwauth/camservers.conf | Removed | 7.0-U2 | Not supported anymore. |
| /etc/vmware/lockdown | Removed | 7.0-U3 | Not supported anymore. |
| /etc/vmware/cpservices/esxapiadapter/config.xml | Removed | 7.0-U3 | Not supported anymore. |
| /etc/vmware/hostd/config.xml /etc/vmware/hostd/probe-config.xml /etc/vmware/cpservices/esxtoken/config.xml |
Removed | 7.0-U3 |
Refer to KB article: https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/82227 |
| /etc/passwd /etc/shadow /etc/group |
Read only. | 7.0-U3 | Local accounts can be modified with "esxcli system account" commands or with VIM API LocalAccountManager. |
| /etc/vmware/lockdown.conf /etc/vmware/hostd/authorization.xml |
Removed | 7.0-U3 | LockdownMode and user permissions can be accessed and modified with VIM APIs. Permissions can also be modified with "esxcli system permission" commands. |
| /etc/vmware/system-users.conf | Removed | 7.0-U3 | Use advanced options under "Security." |
| /etc/security/ssh_limits.conf | Read only. | 7.0-U3 | Use advanced options under "Security." |
| /etc/security/dcui-access.conf | Read only. | 7.0-U3 | Use advanced option "DCUI.Access" |
| /etc/vmware/hostd/passwd.maxdays | Removed | 7.0-U3 | Use advanced option "Security.PasswordMaxDays" |
|
/etc/pam.d/passwd /etc/pam.d/system-auth-tally |
Read only. | 7.0-U3 | Use advanced options under "Security." |
| /etc/vmware/vpxa/vpxa.cfg | Removed | 7.0-U3 | Refer to KB article https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/87438 |
| /etc/ntp.conf | Read only. | 7.0-U3 |
Refer to KB article: https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/87176 |
| /etc/ptp.conf | Read only. | 7.0-U3 | Refer to KB article: https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/87176 |
| /etc/hosts | Read only. | 7.0-U3 |
Refer to KB article: |
| /etc/resolv.conf | Read only. | 7.0-U3 | Refer to KB article: https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/86015 |
|
/etc/issue /etc/motd |
Read only. | 8.0 | Use "vim-cmd hostsvc/advopt/update Config.Etc.motd string <value>" and "vim-cmd hostsvc/advopt/update Config.Etc.issue string <value>" |
| /etc/vmware/locker.conf | Read only. | 8.0 | Use "vim-cmd hostsvc/advopt/update ScratchConfig.ConfiguredScratchLocation string <value>" |
| /etc/vmware/vmware.lic | Removed | 8.0 | Not supported anymore. |
esx.conf
Much of the entries in esx.conf have moved to ConfigStore. The below table lists the impacted configurations, which should now be accessed and modified using the recommended esxcli commands.
| Namespace | Released | Documentation | |
| /storage | 7.0 U1 | Use "esxcli storage" commands | |
| /nas | 7.0 U1 | Use "esxcli storage nfs" commands | |
| /nfs41 | 7.0 U1 | Use "excli storage nfs41" commands. | |
| /storage/swIscsi/enabled | 7.0 U1 | Use "esxcli iscsi software" commands | |
| /firewall | 7.0 U2 | Use "esxcli network firewall" commands | |
| /net | 7.0 U2 | Use "esxcli network" commands | |
| /vmkdevmgr | 7.0-U2 | Use "esxcli device" commands | |
| /swap | 7.0 U1 | Use "esxcli sched swap system" commands | |
| /hostCache | 7.0 U1 | Use "localcli --plugin-dir /usr/lib/vmware/esxcli/int sched hostcache" commands | |
| /vmkernel | 8.0 | Use "esxcli system settings kernel" commands | |
| /vmkernel/module | 8.0 | Use "esxcli system module" commands | |
| Irq | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands esxcli system settings advanced list -t /Irq esxcli system settings advanced list -o /Irq/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /Irq/<option_name> |
|
| Misc | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /Misc esxcli system settings advanced list -o /Misc/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /Irq/<option_name> |
|
| Net | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /Net esxcli system settings advanced list -o /Net/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /Irq/<option_name> |
|
| Mem | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /Mem esxcli system settings advanced list -o /Mem/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /Irq/<option_name> |
|
| Cpu | 8.0 |
Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /Cpu esxcli system settings advanced list -t /Cpu/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /Irq/<option_name> |
|
| Numa | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /Numa esxcli system settings advanced list -o /Numa/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /Irq/<option_name> |
|
| LPage | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /LPage esxcli system settings advanced list -o /LPage/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /LPage/<option_name> |
|
| Disk | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /Disk esxcli system settings advanced list -o /Disk/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /Disk/<option_name> |
|
| FileSystem | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /FileSystem esxcli system settings advanced list -o /FileSystem/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /FileSystem/<option_name> |
|
| Migrate | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands esxcli system settings advanced list -t /Migrate esxcli system settings advanced list -o /Migrate/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /Migrate/<option_name> |
|
| Scsi | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /Scsi esxcli system settings advanced list -o /Scsi/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /Scsi/<option_name> |
|
| User | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /User esxcli system settings advanced list -o /User/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /User/<option_name> |
|
| UserMem | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /UserMem esxcli system settings advanced list -o /UserMem/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /UserMem/<option_name> |
|
UserObj |
8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /UserObj esxcli system settings advanced list -o /UserObj/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /UserObj/<option_name> |
|
| World | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /World esxcli system settings advanced list -o /World/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /World/<option_name> |
|
| NFS | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /NFS esxcli system settings advanced list -o /NFS/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /NFS/<option_name> |
|
| NFS41 | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /NFS41 esxcli system settings advanced list -o /NFS41/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /NFS41/<option_name> |
|
| VMKTRACING | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /VMKTRACING esxcli system settings advanced list -o /VMKTRACING/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /VMKTRACING/<option_name> |
|
| VMFS3 | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /VMFS3 esxcli system settings advanced list -o /VMFS3/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /VMFS3/<option_name> |
|
| BufferCache | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /BufferCache esxcli system settings advanced list -o /BufferCache/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /BufferCache/<option_name> |
|
| BufferCache2 | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /BufferCache2 esxcli system settings advanced list -o /BufferCache2/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /BufferCache2/<option_name> |
|
| LVM | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /LVM esxcli system settings advanced list -o /LVM/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /LVM/<option_name> |
|
| DataMover | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /DataMover esxcli system settings advanced list -o /DataMover/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /DataMover/<option_name> |
|
| COW | 8.0 |
|
|
| SE | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /SE esxcli system settings advanced list -o /SE/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /SE/<option_name> |
|
| Power | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /Power esxcli system settings advanced list -o /Power/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /Power/<option_name> |
|
| FSS | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /FSS esxcli system settings advanced list -o /FSS/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /FSS/<option_name> |
|
| FDS | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /FDS esxcli system settings advanced list -o /FDS/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /FDS/<option_name> |
|
| FT | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /FT esxcli system settings advanced list -o /FT/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /FT/<option_name> |
|
| DirentryCache | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /DirentryCache esxcli system settings advanced list -o /DirentryCache/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /DirentryCache/<option_name> |
|
| HBR | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /HBR esxcli system settings advanced list -o /HBR/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /HBR/<option_name> |
|
| VProbes | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /VProbes esxcli system settings advanced list -o /VProbes/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /VProbes/<option_name> |
|
| Digest | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /Digest esxcli system settings advanced list -o /Digest/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /Digest/<option_name> |
|
| CBRC | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /CBRC esxcli system settings advanced list -o /CBRC/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /CBRC/<option_name> |
|
| PageRetire | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /PageRetire esxcli system settings advanced list -o /PageRetire/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /PageRetire/<option_name> |
|
| SvMotion | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /SvMotion esxcli system settings advanced list -o /SvMotion/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /SvMotion/<option_name> |
|
| Nmp | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /Nmp esxcli system settings advanced list -o /Nmp/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /Nmp/<option_name> |
|
| SunRPC | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /SunRPC esxcli system settings advanced list -o /SunRPC/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /SunRPC/<option_name> |
|
| XvMotion | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /XvMotion esxcli system settings advanced list -o /XvMotion/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /XvMotion/<option_name> |
|
| RCU | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /RCU esxcli system settings advanced list -o /RCU/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /RCU/<option_name> |
|
| VVOL | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /VVOL esxcli system settings advanced list -o /VVOL/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /VVOL/<option_name> |
|
| VFLASH | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /VFLASH esxcli system settings advanced list -o /VFLASH/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /VFLASH/<option_name> |
|
| ISCSI | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /ISCSI esxcli system settings advanced list -o /ISCSI/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /ISCSI/<option_name> |
|
| VSCSIStats | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /VSCSIStats esxcli system settings advanced list -o /VSCSIStats/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /VSCSIStats/<option_name> |
|
| PMem | 8.0 |
|
|
| VmkAccess | 8.0 |
|
|
| USB | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /USB esxcli system settings advanced list -o /USB/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /USB/<option_name> |
|
| VisorFS | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /VisorFS esxcli system settings advanced list -o /VisorFS/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /VisorFS/<option_name> |
|
| Vmknvme | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /Vmknvme esxcli system settings advanced list -o /Vmknvme/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /Vmknvme/<option_name> |
|
| LoadESX | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /LoadESX esxcli system settings advanced list -o /LoadESX/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /LoadESX/<option_name> |
|
| CMMDS | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /CMMDS esxcli system settings advanced list -o /CMMDS/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /CMMDS/<option_name> |
|
| LSOM | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /LSOM esxcli system settings advanced list -o /LSOM/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /LSOM/<option_name> |
|
| Virsto | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /Virsto esxcli system settings advanced list -o /Virsto/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /Virsto/<option_name> |
|
| VSAN | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /VSAN esxcli system settings advanced list -o /VSAN/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /VSAN/<option_name> |
|
| VSAN-iSCSI | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /VSAN-iSCSI esxcli system settings advanced list -o /VSAN-iSCSI/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /VSAN-iSCSI/<option_name> |
|
| VSAN-DP | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /VSAN-DP esxcli system settings advanced list -o /VSAN-DP/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /VSAN-DP/<option_name> |
|
| UPIT | 8.0 |
Use "esxcli system settings advanced" commands Get: esxcli system settings advanced list -t /UPIT esxcli system settings advanced list -o /UPIT/<option_name> Set: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /UPIT/<option_name> |
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