Migrate VCenter Server 4.1 from local storage to SAN?

[manofbronze]

This may be a bit of a lame question but here goes anyway.

I have a virtual VCenter Server 4.1 installled on the local data store of a ESX 4.0 host server. We do not have any HA or vmotion features, just the essentials. Due to an incompatibility with the new MD3220 iSCSI SAn we just installed, I need to upgrade the ESX 4.0 host to ESXi 4.1 which will require a rebuild. I would like to avoid rebuilding the vCenter server if possible.

We have a ESXi 4.1 host server in production and (2) iSCSI SANs. Is there a way for me to relocate the vCenter server to one of the common storage pools on the iSCSI SANs and if so, can I reattach to the vCenter from the existing ESXi 4.1 host?

Or am I scrubbing the vCenter Server and starting over? :smileyconfused:

[AndreTheGiant · Accepted solution]

Shutdown the vCenter VM.

Then use the vSphere client to connect to the host.

Remove the vCenter VM from the inventory.

Use datastore browser to move or copy the vCenter folder.

Then re-register again the vmx file.

Power on the VM and say I_moved.

Andre

[manofbronze]

Thank you for your always prompt and helpful response Andre!

I have one more lame question ....

How exactly do I re-register the vCenter Server vm with the ESXi 4.1 host?

[a_p_]

After copying the vCenter Server's folder to the new datastore on the SAN, use the vSphere Client to connect to the ESXi 4.1 host, open the datastore browser and right click the vCenter Server's vmx file. From the popup menu select "Add to inventory".

André

[manofbronze]

Thank you again Andre.

Worked like a charm ...