How to reinstall ESXi without losing virtual machines?

Question

VMware

The Esxi hypervisor accidentally turned on the protected mode (lockdown mode). now the machines are not edited and not controlled. The terminal server and the meDoc server were transferred using vmware standalon converter to another esxi host. And here with Exchange 2003 of a problem. After the transfer (because it would be stupid to disable the old Exchange without raising a new one), I changed the name of the old Exchange and changed the IP, and assigned the name of the old and the old IP to the new one. But mail clients stopped connecting. I deleted and created new records in DNS. Still doesn't work. But the old one works if you connect to it by a new name.
So, the questions, the answer to one of them will help me solve a very important problem for me:

1. Maybe someone knows how to turn off lockdown mode on Esxi 5.5 (login to the emergency console only works in Esxi 4.0)
2. It may be possible to reinstall Esxi itself without losing virtual machines
3. Or how to copy Exchange to new hardware correctly (more precisely, what actions are needed after the transfer)

Answer 1

That's actually all.
kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?lan...
You blocked yourself from Total Lockdown Mode.
If after rebooting the console is not unlocked, then reinstall.

Answer 2

If my memory serves me, Lockdown mode can be removed directly on the host (by plugging a monitor + keyboard into the server).
Or is it physically impossible in your case?

Answer 3

1. Above already written www.vmgu.ru/news/vmware-esxi-lockdown-mode
2. Yes, save virtual machines beforehand.
3. "Or how to copy Exchange to new hardware " Why? He's in a virtual machine, just transfer the virtual machine.
"But there are problems with Exchange 2003. After the transfer (because it would be stupid to disable the old Exchange without raising the new one)"
What is a "transfer"? What did you specifically do?
"I changed the name of the old Exchange and changed the ip, and assigned the name of the old and the ip of the old to the new one." This is beyond reasonable, or I really do not understand something.

Answer 4

Screenshot when physically accessing the host
By pressing F2 or F12
By pressing ALT+F1

Answer 5

What does it mean to change USB

Answer 6

On question number 2.
"Maybe there is an opportunity to reinstall Esxi itself without losing virtual machines"
Answer:
www.vmgu.ru/news/register-vm-on-esx-server