How to Move vCenter to a New Server

You can move VMware's vCenter Server to a new host at any time. Much of the process is the same as when you originally installed it. However, before you move vCenter to a new server, configure it in its present location so that you do not lose data.

Instructions

1. Log in to you vCenter Server as an administrator. Click "Start" and "Run." Type "services.msc" and press "Enter." Right-click "VMware VirtualCenter Server" and select "Stop" to shut down the server.

2. Back up your SQL database. The exact process depends on what database management application you use. Most applications have a "Backup" or "Export" button you can press.

3. Upload the SQL database to the new server. If you use the same database management application on the new server, you can restore from the backup file. Move your ADAM database to the new server if you use vCenter 4.x.

4. Configure the DSN settings on the new server. The process depends on what version of SQL you use: it should be the same process you used when originally installing vCenter Server.

5. Install vCenter on the new server. The process is the same as your original install, except that this time select "Use Existing Database" and do not re-initialize data when prompted.

6. Reboot the new server. Enter your vCenter Server license information, then test the new installation for any problems.

References

• VMware: Migrating vCenter Server to a Different Host Machine
• VMware: Stopping, Starting, or Restarting Your vCenter Services

Resources

• VMware: vCenter Server Installation Fails With ODBC and DSN Errors