Ad ESXi host to vCenter by ip, and chang ESXi name

[vmwarelicense12]

We want to add all our ESXi hosts to vCenter by ip, so it is not depended on DNS.

But IP addresses is not nice to work with, so is it possible to change the name of all ESXi hosts in vCenter? ESXi must still be connected to vCenter by ip, so we hope that it is possible to change display name in vCenter only?

[VysakhNair]

vmwarelicense123​

vCenter shows the ESXi display name like how you added(IP/FQDN) the ESXi to vCenter

So to display the hostname or the FQDN remove the host form vCenter and add it again using FQDN

[Vikas_VM]

You can easily rename the Host name by right clicking on the host  and choose the rename  (put the IP instead of Name) and Vise Versa , it won't effect on DNS entries as well.

[vmwarelicense12]

Yes that i know. But i want to add ESXi to vCenter by ip, and then change display name of ESXi in vCenter, so i can call it what ever i want.

[vmwarelicense12]

Hi Vikas,

Nope, you cannot do that;)

[Vikas_VM]

right click on host, Disconnect it and try to re-add with IP, root creds may require.

If this won't work then check with AD team for DNS entries.

[VysakhNair]

vmwarelicense123

I got your requirement, but that's not possible.

vCenter shows the ESXi display name like how you added(IP/FQDN) the ESXi to vCenter

So to display the hostname or the FQDN remove the host form vCenter and add it again using FQDN

[vmwarelicense12]

Strange. The best would be to ad ESXi to vCenter by ip, and then put a common name on it after, just like switches? In that way your are more safe when you have problems with DNS??

[VysakhNair]

vmwarelicense123​

I don't think so. It is easy to manage and troubleshoot if the display name is with IP/FQDN

[RajeevVCP4]

Disconnect and remove host from vcenter server and add back by name only solution.