Migrate a VirtualCenter from Microsoft Domain

[osolgar]

Hi All,

I have a VirtualCenter installed with domain Administrator user, and with sql server express installed in the same machine

Now, I need migrated this machine to another domain and I would know the steps to follow, to do this task correctly without stop the ESX's

We think that it's important:

Windows services from VirtualCenter (Change the user for a local user with administrator role)

Windows Services from sql server express (Change the user for a local user with administrator role)

Check access to the vmware directories for the new user

Change the username for the ODBC connection

Anything else?

Please if someone know any document about this, tell me.

thanks

[AndreTheGiant]

ESX will not stop, even if VC will not running

VC services are all using SYSTEM account, so you have no problem.

SQL Express also (in the default installation), but just check to be sure.

For VC permissions the default rule is: "all local Administrators are VMware Administrators", so the new domain Administrators will be also VC administrators.

You can have some problem with name resolution, cause some plugins (VUM and Converter) could have the FQDN.

Andre

[osolgar]

Hi Andre,

Thanks for your answer

Then if I understand correctly, the steps to follow will be:

1-Stop VMware Services

2-Stop SQL server express services

3-Migrate VirtualCenter MAchine

and my doubt is here

Q1-I don't need to do nothing because in the migration, the migration change the user for the services?

Q2-What happens with the ESX hosts?

because the name are ESX01.old.domain.com and I want to change to ESX01.new.domain.com

I thougt in add the old names ( ESX01.old.domain.com) in the hosts file local from VirtualCenter then the VirtualCEnter will find the ESX host in the next start, but I'm not sure.

Thanks in advanced

Oscar

[AndreTheGiant]

You do no need to stop the services.

Just change the domain, and reboot (as required) the VC Server.

Q1-I don't need to do nothing because in the migration, the migration change the user for the services?

Check in services configuration to be sure (check "logon as").

But by default are only "local" users

Q2-What happens with the ESX hosts?

You have to re-add to your DNS Servers.

If they are registered (in VC) with the FQDN you have to remove and readd again.

Andre

[osolgar]

Hi Andre,

thanks again for your quickly answer

My ESX are in HA and DRS Cluster, and they are register in VC

What happen wiht the cluster if I remove and add the ESX Hosts?

To change the DNS in ESX Host Do I need to restart the ESX Hosts?

Because my problem is that I have some Virtual Machine inside that I cannot stop

Thanks

[AndreTheGiant · Accepted solution]

What happen wiht the cluster if I remove and add the ESX Hosts?

You can have some problem only if you are using EVC, cause you cannot hotadd a host to a EVC cluster.

To change the DNS in ESX Host Do I need to restart the ESX Hosts?

Yes.

If you have VMotion rename a host (with no running VM), reboot it and rename the next host.

If you do not have VMotion, shedule this operation when you can, and use (until the change) some "custom" entries in local hosts file.

Andre

[osolgar]

Hi Andre,

Thanks for your time

After the migration, I will put all the procedure, and the final result.

Thanks

[AndreTheGiant]

You're welcome.

Andre