Multiple Virtual Centre Servers?

[SAS18]

Hi,

Is it possible to have multiple Virtual Centre Servers in the same infrastructure?

We currently have a VC server in our main office where we host a cluster of ESX hosts. We also have a DR site where we host another ESX cluster, so everything is visible on the VC at the main office.

We want to be able to have another VC server at the DR site that has full visibility of both clusters, so if the main office is taken out of the picture, we can still manage the clusters, ESX hosts, and VM's at DR with the alternate VC. We have synchronous replication of the LUN's containing the VM's.

Any advice appreciated.

Sam.

[Chris_S_UK]

What about:

1. Configure a server at the DR site with the VC service but don't start the service under normal circumstances

2. Replicate (preferably synchronously) the SQL database for VC from the main site to the DR site

3. In the event of a disaster, bring the DR copy of the SQL database online (assuming you will have a SQL Server at the DR site) and start the VC service on the DR VC server. You will probably have to reconfigure the VC server's ODBC connection first, but this is a trivial task.

Chris

amended to add: this mechanism really depends on the DR VC server having the same IP/name as the prod one, as the hosts will probably otherwise complain about being managed by a different VC server

[lourensprinsloo · Accepted solution]

Hi Sam

An ESX host can only be managed by one VC server at any given time. I have the same challenge in my environment. The way I solved the challenge is to run VC as a VM and manage all PRD and DR hosts via the one VC. The LUN on which VC resides replicates with all the other VM's across to DR. When a DR is invoked, use a VI client (or from command line) to start the VC server at DR to continue managing the VI landscape, bearing in mind that the replication is broken and a LUN rescan on the DR site. You have the additional benefit of saving ESX and VC licenses with this architecture.

Regards,

[SAS18]

That makes so much sense... have you tested your setup in a DR scenario yet? If that works, it'll be exactly what I need!

Thanks!

Sam.

[lourensprinsloo]

Hi Sam

I have indeed. It works like a charm. The only caveat with this solution is that you would need an eval license for the initial DR host configuration from your production VC. subsequest changes you can then be performed via the VI client directly on the hosts.

Regards,

LP