Best practice to re-install a VC server ?

[zemotard]

Hi, I have to install a new server with VC, because my actually server is too old.

What's the best practice to do that in order to keep all configuration.

Regards.

[jjohnston1127]

Is your VC database running on MSDE or is it attached to an external SQL server?

[Dave_Mishchenko]

There's a thread here on subject:

http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=699564&#699564

http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=699236&#699236

If you can keep the same hostname and IP address, it'll make things a bit easier. You can also reuse the existing database, but when you install VC you have to be careful on the dialog box regarding using an existing database as it can be a bit misleading and you can end up wiping the VC database.

[esiebert7625 · Accepted solution]

First shut down the existing VirtualCenter server and take a full DB backup also make a backup of the SSL certificates.

Then basically it's the same as a new install. Install VC on the new server. Enter in the information for your existing VC database. Make sure you select to not overwrite your database when it prompts you. If the server is the same IP address and name then that should be it. You may have to restart the mgmt-vmware and vmware-vpxa service if any ESX hosts show dis-connected.

[zemotard]

Don't repeat that, but I'm in production with a MSDE database ...

[esiebert7625]

ok, if that's the case check out the below post...

http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=744669

also here's how to detach the db...

• At a CMD prompt type “osql –E –D prompt type the following, “use master” closes the connection to the vcdb so it can be detached, go executes the previous SQL statements.

o Use master

o Exec sp_detach_db ‘vcdb’

o Go

• Copy the two database files (vcdb.mdf and vcdb.ldf) to the destination VC server MSDE data directory.

Message was edited by:

esiebert7625

[Dave_Mishchenko]

Are you planning to move the database to a dedicated SQL Server as part of the re-install? If so you could do that part first and once it is working, then do the re-install of VC.

[zemotard]

No my goal is to install a new server with another ip/ name ...

[Dave_Mishchenko]

Once you have the new VC server setup, the hosts will likely show as being disconnected: http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=752943&#752943