How to configure HA when vCenter is running as a VM in one of the host?

[crescendas]

In order to setup HA with VMware EVC, the hosts must be in maintenance mode first before moving into the HA cluster. The problem is, vCenter is running as a VM inside one of these hosts. If I shutdown vCenter down to have it's host in maintenance mode, how am I going to setup HA with VMware EVC without using vCenter?

[athlon_crazy · Accepted solution]

If u dont have vMotion feature, Just down your vCenter VM and unregister from eg. ESX1 then register to eg. ESX2 then power-on. Enter maintenance mode for ESX1 then move ESX1 to your cluster folder and Exit maintenance mode once done. Same goes to ESX2 and the rest of ESX hosts.

[crescendas]

Thanks. I guess this troublesome method is the only way to do this unless VMware enable pre HA setup to be done without vCenter to resolve this chicken and egg issue.