André,
I currently use Backup Exec 2012 to backup inside each of the the guest OS. Unfortunately we would have to purchase the Agent for VMware/HyperV to make a VM backup.
Great idea about purchasing another SD card! Is there some way to backup the configuration of the current ESXi host that way once all the firmware is updated I can import it? Or would it not work because I would be running a newer version of ESXi?
Thanks again, you've been a huge help!