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SAKLICA
Contributor
Contributor

what if vCenter fails ?

Hi,

I've been working in a company that provides network support services as a trainee.

I have an issue about vCenter linked node. In picture i figured the problem.

We have two vCenter works in proper. But what if vCenter1 down ? How can we keep up vCenter1 processes on vCenter2 ? is it possible to do with vCenter2? or do we need an extra "vCenter3" to replicated version of vCenter1.

I have read about some pages problem can solve with SRM and vSphere, but i havent got an authority to buy an extra app.

How can I figure, is there any way to solve ? any videos or guidance will help me

Greetings from Turkey.

http://i51.tinypic.com/ve0lr6.jpg

Note: Writings in pic.written in Turkish.

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4 Replies
eeg3
Commander
Commander

Have a look at VMware vCenter Heartbeat, if you're able to buy another product.

You can also virtualize vCenter and put it in a HA cluster, that way if a host fails, another will automatically restart the VirtualCenter virtual machine. Virtualizing vCenter is fully supported.






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weinstein5
Immortal
Immortal

Welcome to the Forums - some things to keep in mind -

  1. vCenter only acts as proxy so if you lose your vCenter server your ESX/ESXi hosts will coninue to run wiht out a problem - the only things that wil not be available - vMotion, DRS/DPM and to centrally manage your environment - HA will continue to work that is why the other poster suggested virtualizing the Center server that way the VM can restart automatically if there is a hardware failure

  2. All information about your vCenter environment is stored in the the vCenter database so as long as that is protected it is very easy to rebuild a new vCenter server and point to the existing database and yourenvironment will be restored

  3. running 2 vCenter instances will require two vCenter licenses

I think your best bets are either to virtualize the vCenter server as the other poster suggested or look at vCenter Heartbeat - basically a repackaged Never Fail designed for vCenter -

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Gregbl333
Contributor
Contributor

Pretty much what weinstein said.

You can also point yoru client to your esx hosts and manage them. In our environment you can also point a web page to the esx hosts and manage them. Pretty sure that is standard.

Its not the end of the world if VCenter goes down, just makes it a little harder. You should be backing up the VCenter server. In our environment we have backups, or we can just rebuild VCenter in less than 30 minute. You won't have all your roles setup, but you will have the basics.

If you are a huge shop though, restoring from backup or like the other posters said, some sort of cluster.

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SAKLICA
Contributor
Contributor

Thank you for all kindly replays.

@egg3 Im not able to buy another product because working as a trainee. But I informed my supervisor about HB.

Thanks again.

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