adding ESXI to vCenter

[JeffBeaty]

Hello,

I would like to know if I can add an ESXI server on my vCenter server without powering OFF the VMs running on the ESXI.
I'm running vSphere 7.0.

Thanks

[sdtslmn]

Yes, you can add an ESXi host to a vCenter Server in vSphere 7.0 without needing to power off the virtual machines (VMs) running on it. This process is straightforward and does not disrupt the running VMs.

During this process, the VMs on the ESXi host will keep running without any impact. Once the host is added to vCenter, the VMs will automatically appear in the vCenter inventory. You can choose where to place these VMs within vCenter, depending on your organizational needs. This integration allows for centralized management of the ESXi host and its VMs through the vCenter Server.

also, you can follow those links, which can help you

https://www.ubackup.com/enterprise-backup/add-esxi-host-to-vcenter-7.html#:~:text=1,3

https://masteringvmware.com/how-to-add-esxi-hosts-to-vcenter/#:~:text=Step%201%3A%20Login%20to%20you...

https://serverfault.com/questions/1036740/impact-of-adding-standalone-esxi-host-to-cluster

[JeffBeaty]

Hello,
Thanks for the answer. I just tried and I got the notification on the image attached. 

"Hosts will enter maintenance mode before they are moved to the cluster. You might need to either power off or migrate powered on and suspended virtual machines."

My understanding is that putting a VM on Maintenance mode is basically the same as power it off. 
So I'm not sure now if I should go ahead or not. 

Im gonna check the links you p

[Sachchidanand]

If you add host directly to a cluster, it will ask you to enter it in maintenance mode. So instead of adding host to cluster, just add it to DataCenter and the move it to cluster either via "drag and drop" or just right click and choose "move to" option.

Regards,

Sachchidanand

[sdtslmn]

hi 

if you follow the links I have provided they show you how to add a host to a vcenter datacenter without entering the maintenance mode 

[JeffBeaty]

Thanks.

That worked without any issues.

[JeffBeaty]

Yes, you are correct. On the links they also add the host on a Datacenter level not Cluster level.

Thanks for the links.