Clone vCenter Server Appliance 6.5

[asnort]

Is it possible to clone a vCenter Server Appliance? We are placing a host at a new site for testing and cloned a few servers just for testing purposes. We would also like to clone the VCSA but it has been causing problems and stops at 96%.

Has anyone done this before?

Thank You

Aaron

[daphnissov]

No, cloning a vCenter won't work. It's not as simple as a Linux template or something similar. It will need to be deployed fresh with unique settings (and a license).

[Alex_Romeo]

Hi,

make a backup of "VCSA" from "VAMI" ... and restore the backup to a new installation. purchase the vmware license

ARomeo

[IRIX201110141]

I dont see a problem of the "cloning" which is basically the same as a VM backup/restore.

The problems starting after the cloning (copying):

- Changing Hostname in VCSA 6.5 is not supportet

- If you use an IP as hostname it is even not allowed to change the IP Address. These problems are solved with 6.7u3

- You have to change the vCenter ID otherwise Mr. Murphy may will create new VMs with same MAC

- You have to recreate all the certs

- You have to leave AD prior or not use AD with the clone VCSA. Dont know if LDAP based AD connect is better

For sure you need a new license of course.

Regards,

Joerg

[NickDaGeekUK]

Hi Joerg

I am also looking at patching my aging ESXi pair of hosts and have done one but found this article

https://netassured.co.uk/upgrade-a-vmware-esxi-host-that-vcsa-is-running-on/

Will Mr Murphy cause me problems with duplicate VMs with the same MAC if I do that?

cheers

Nick

[IRIX201110141]

I dont see a problem as long as you shudown the VCSA and only one runs at a time.

Regards,
Joerg