From external PSC (v.6) to embedded PSC (v6.5)

[Behren]

Hi,

We are about to upgrade from version 6 to 6.5. Currently we are running vCenter with an external PSC but we aren´t really in need of enhanced linked mode. So when we upgrade to 6.5 we want to change from external PSC to the embedded solution. Is this possible? I just find information to switch from embedded to external.

Thanks in advance.

[daphnissov]

This is not a supported topology change at the moment, but I understand it is being worked on.

[conyards · Accepted solution]

Not good news I'm afraid...

The reason that you cannot find any documentation or information about switching to embedded from external is that once you are external, you cannot switch back.

"After you deploy vCenter Server with an embedded Platform Services Controller, you can reconfigure your topology and switch to vCenter Server with an external Platform Services Controller. This is a one-way process after which you cannot switch back to vCenter Server with an embedded Platform Services Controller. You can repoint the vCenter Server instance only to an external Platform Services Controller that is configured to replicate the infrastructure data within the same domain."

This is mentioned a few times as notes in the vSphere documentation, examples below;

Reconfigure a Standalone vCenter Server with an Embedded Platform Services Controller to a vCenter S...

Install vCenter Server with an Embedded Platform Services Controller

Thanks

Simon

[Nick_Andreev]

Why do you want to change to embedded. Is it causing any issues in your vSphere deployment?

[NagangoudaPatil]

It's not supported topology, better to have external PSC for vc 6.0 and vc 6.5.

[Behren]

Thanks all for your replys. I guess we have to continue to run with external PSC then.

[Behren]

No, we don´t have any issues in our environment with external PSC. But since we don´t need enhanced linked mode the embedded solution is simpler to manage.

[Nick_Andreev]

The only additional operational overhead I see with an external PSC is when doing an upgrade. PSC has to be upgraded first and then the vCenter. So there is an additional step. But other than that, PSC is a vCenter component and doesn't need to be managed explicitly. 

[johnnyf_vmware]

We are working on providing tools to move form external PSC to embedded. If they are popular we will look at making them available to previous releases.

A question for everyone on the thread.

How would you like to see these tools?

1. As part of the Installer ISO and can be run from installer?

2. As part of the VM, a CLI that can be run with arguments

3. a vAPI that can be called remotely?

Also,

We expect this to be an infrequent operation for most people so my instinct is not to use the H5 client for these operations. Any thoughts on this matter?

regards

Johnny

[conyards]

Johnny,

I agree that this is likely to be an infrequent operation, that will most likely occur at the time an existing environment is being upgraded. 

Having it included in the installer and including some rollback options, makes good sense I think.

Thanks

Simon