vCenter license migration.

[virtualvikram2]

Hi All,

I am n process of installing a new vCenter server and DB. Currently, I've a vCenter 5.0 with Sql Express. I am  installing new vCenter 5.5 as there is some issue with the Windows Operating System. Can someone provide steps on migrating the vCenter license from current vCenter 5.0 to new vCenter 5.5. And, does taking full backup of the current DB and migrating to new Full DB will give me same old vCenter Inventory?

Regards,

Vikram kumar

[Atul_gen · Accepted solution]

First you need to migrate database from express db to Full SQL 2008 DB. The steps are below in KB article.

VMware KB:    Migrating the vCenter Server database from SQL Express to full SQL Server

- Deploy new OS and give same IP and hostname which you are using for old operating system.

- Take database backup for safer sise.

- Take SSL certificate back up from old server from C:\ProgramData\VMware\VirtualCenter Server\SSL

- Create the appropriate System DSN connections on the new vCenter Server host. For more information, see the Viewing and modifying the database server section of vCenter Server installation fails with ODBC and DSN errors (1003928).

- If the new VirtualCenter server uses the same hostname and IP address, the SSL certificates can be copied to the new server to eliminate the need to reconnect the ESXi/ESX hosts.

-  To copy the VirtualCenter Server SSL certificates:

1. Create the this folder structure on the new server:
2. C:\ProgramData\VMware\VirtualCenter Server\SSL

- To copy the VirtualCenter Server SSL certificates:

- Copy these files from the original VirtualCenter server to the new server, preserving the folder structure:

• C:\ProgramData\VMware\VMware VirtualCenter Server\SSL\rui.key
• C:\ProgramData\VMware\VMware VirtualCenter Server\SSL\rui.pfx
• C:\ProgramData\VMware\VMware VirtualCenter Server\SSL\rui.crt

-  Initiate Virtual center 5.5 fresh installation see the setup guide for 5.5 

-When prompted, select Use existing database, and provide the correct credentials to that database.

- When prompted, select to not re-initialize the database to preserve all of your inventory data.

- Reboot the machine after the installation completes.

For details info see the below KB article. http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=585044...

[rcporto]

From the KB article: Upgrading to vCenter Server 5.5 best practices (2053132)

You cannot directly migrate an existing vCenter Server to a different machine during an upgrade to version 5.1.x or 5.5. You can migrate an existing vCenter Server to a different machine during an upgrade to version 5.0, and then perform an in-place upgrade from version 5.0 to version 5.1.x or 5.5.

[virtualvikram2]

Hi Atul and Richardson,

Thanks alot for your response.

Regards,

Vikram.