Cold migration of Vcenter server

[pdrace]

We are changing CPU architechtures from AMD to Intel.

I've moved all my vms with the exception of the server that runs VirtualCenter 5.01.

The database is on the machine as well.

My plan is to:

1. Shutdown the server

2. Attach to the host it is on with the Vcenter client and remove it from inventory.

3. Using the Vcenter client attach to a host in the cluster I want to move it to and register it on the host.

4. Cross my fingers and power on the vm.

I'm concerned that the V center server will be confused when it starts up on a different host and cluster

Has anyone done this successfully?

[sparrowangelste]

while I dont think anything will go wrong, you could always take a snapshot so if something goes wrong just revert.

[vGuy · Accepted solution]

Don't foresee any issues....this is one of the benefit of virtualization, since the VMs are encapsulated in a set of files they can be easily imported/exported on any standard x86 architectures. Though since vCenter is a critical piece of management of vSphere, it wouldn't hurt to keep a backup clone of it on the existing host (just in case). Post migration you may be prompted with a uuid alert message, have a look at the below URL for the explanation:

http://techhead.co/vmware-esx-i-moved-it-or-i-copied-it-whats-the-difference/

[pdrace]

I moved it last night without any issues.