What settings must be manually copied to a clean vCenter installation?
We have a vCenter server appliance (VCSA) v6.0 with two ESXi hosts connected, both also v6.0. The hosts share iSCSI storage. We are adding a third host which is running ESXi v.6.5, so we need to upgrade the vCenter appliance. The upgrade installer won't allow selection of the "tiny" or "small" size of VCSA (i.e. the options are not available), and there are other errors during the pre-upgrade checks. However, the question is not about how to fix these errors - it is as follows:
If we install a new clean VCSA, what settings need to be manually migrated from the previous vCenter? Is it just the HA cluster settings, and any other customisation we have made to e.g. alarms?
My thinking is that for just the two hosts there's no point in keeping the old vCenter if it is proving difficult to migrate.
If we install a new clean VCSA, what settings need to be manually migrated from the previous vCenter? Is it just the HA cluster settings, and any other customisation we have made to e.g. alarms?
My thinking is that for just the two hosts there's no point in keeping the old vCenter if it is proving difficult to migrate.
ASKER
We're not concerned about inventory layout, folders, or historical performance data. Yes, the switches are standard.
You can take the database of vCenter server appliance using the KB https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/2091961 and keep it in a separate location. Once the new appliance is deployed, you can use the same db to restore. Ensure snapshot is taken before restoring db.. This will restore the db. You need to add new VCSA to db that means you will lose the permissions as well. If you want to take the permissions backup using the below articles using powercli.
http://www.thevirtualist.org/roles-privileges-permissions-powercli/
http://vmwareinsight.com/Tips/2016/7/5798879/Powershell-Export-Import-Folders-and-Permissions-to-another-vCenter
http://www.thevirtualist.org/roles-privileges-permissions-powercli/
http://vmwareinsight.com/Tips/2016/7/5798879/Powershell-Export-Import-Folders-and-Permissions-to-another-vCenter
The above db restore will bring your inventory layout as it is except that the folders/permissions would be missing.
ASKER
That's great, thanks. But might it not be easier to simply configure the settings manually? I think it's just the properties of the cluster and a couple of customised alarms. It's a very small deployment.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER
Have just completed the new VCSA and have added the new host. Will move existing hosts out of hours (as need to enter maintenance mode to do this, so VMs will need to be shut down).
Just got to copy a few settings and we're good. Thanks!
Just got to copy a few settings and we're good. Thanks!
I do not think disconnecting the ESXi hosts from vcenter requires downtime. You can disconnect from source vcenter and reconnect on desination vcenter. Please find below KB
https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/1004775
https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/1004775
ASKER
Normally yes, but these hosts are in a cluster:
https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-vSphere/6.7/com.vmware.vsphere.resmgmt.doc/GUID-66258BE5-E947-40C9-BE5B-792F3785A1CC.html
https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-vSphere/6.7/com.vmware.vsphere.resmgmt.doc/GUID-66258BE5-E947-40C9-BE5B-792F3785A1CC.html
Inventory layout, folders, performance data will be lost ?
are you using standard switches?