Rebuilding an ESX Cluster Node

[neil_murphy]

Hi,

I'm sure someone will be able to answer this question easily for me. I want to test a rebuild process for a node in a VI3 cluster. I plan to use a straightforward reinstall to get the box up and running. What I am not sure about is how the licensing server will be affected and what needs to be done to make sure the rebuilt server is licensed properly at the end of the process.

Also, is there a quick way to backup and restore things like virtual switch configurations, security, etc?

[dpomeroy]

You shouldn't have to do anything as far as licensing when rebuilding a server.

A scripted build process is probably the best way to get all your configurations done the same way in the shortest amount of time. This helps for new builds as well as for rebuilding/DR situations.

[Jae_Ellers]

You will have to license the server again. If you follow the (great) suggestions of creating a automated script that runs as part of the install you can use the following command to license your server

vmlicense --mode=server --server=27000@host.domain.com --edition=esxFull --features=vsmp,backup

[neil_murphy]

After rebuilding, VirtualCenter will no longer allow the server to reconnect until you disconnect it and then reconnect it. I think it's because the root password gets encrypted and, obviously, on the rebuilt box the encrypted version is different, even if the actual password is the same.

After that, you need to add the licenses back but thats no problem as the license server seems to make them available again automatically.

[Jae_Ellers · Accepted solution]

Yep, you either have to remove the server or you may try deleting the vpxuser, but since you're rebuilding you should remove from VC first.