Hi,
i need to migrate three vpshere hosts to another vcenter that are part of a cluster.
I know that I just need to add the host to the other cluster and that's fine. But I already need to prevent VMs from migrating from one to the other.
What is the correct procedure?
Thank you.
It heavily depends on the virtual switch used
With standard switch this is kinda easier:
1. Change the DRS on the old cluster to partially automated
2. Disconnect the host from old vcenter
3. Connect the host to the new vcenter as standalone
4. Move it to the destination cluster
5. Repeat with other hosts
With distributed switch it is bit more complicated.
Your new vcenter won't recognize distributed switch details you had on the old vcenter
Migration steps should be more like this:
1. Change the DRS on the old cluster to partially automated
2. Disconnect the host from old vcenter
3. Connect the host to the new vcenter as standalone
4. Connect the host to the new distributed switch -> do this really carefully and slow
a) connect the host and first uplink
b) do the vmkernel migration to the correct portgroups
c) do the VM network migration to the correct portgroups
d) connect second uplink
5. Move it to the destination cluster
6. Repeat with other hosts
7. On the old vcenter remove the migrated hosts from the old distributed switch
Of course all these things should be done with the assumption that new vcenter does not have issues with network connectivity to the esxi hosts
Moreover if you'd like to avoid the risk of any mishap during this switchover, then since vsphere 6.5 u2 you can do cross vcenter vmotion without issues.
There is even fling for that, that makes whole migration easier.
Disable DRS.
Regards,
Joerg
It heavily depends on the virtual switch used
With standard switch this is kinda easier:
1. Change the DRS on the old cluster to partially automated
2. Disconnect the host from old vcenter
3. Connect the host to the new vcenter as standalone
4. Move it to the destination cluster
5. Repeat with other hosts
With distributed switch it is bit more complicated.
Your new vcenter won't recognize distributed switch details you had on the old vcenter
Migration steps should be more like this:
1. Change the DRS on the old cluster to partially automated
2. Disconnect the host from old vcenter
3. Connect the host to the new vcenter as standalone
4. Connect the host to the new distributed switch -> do this really carefully and slow
a) connect the host and first uplink
b) do the vmkernel migration to the correct portgroups
c) do the VM network migration to the correct portgroups
d) connect second uplink
5. Move it to the destination cluster
6. Repeat with other hosts
7. On the old vcenter remove the migrated hosts from the old distributed switch
Of course all these things should be done with the assumption that new vcenter does not have issues with network connectivity to the esxi hosts
Moreover if you'd like to avoid the risk of any mishap during this switchover, then since vsphere 6.5 u2 you can do cross vcenter vmotion without issues.
There is even fling for that, that makes whole migration easier.
Isn't it necessary to put it in maintenance first?
when you can accept a VM downtime.....
Regards,
Joerg
IRIX201110141
Yes true. When defining maintenance, you will see that there are associated VMs.
I was reading another comment from another question and I thought ...
Wouldn't it be better to remove the HA before disconnecting the host?
When you add the host to the new cluster, can the HA of the new cluster be active?
my concern is to ensure that at no time will VMs from one host be migrated to others.
Hi,
I ran the process successfully, but when disconnecting the host from the HA cluster I received a warning that it was necessary to evacuate the VMs from the host or select maintenance.
So I deactivated the HA of the cluster and disconnected the host.
In the new vcenter, in the cluster with HA disabled I added the host.
After adding all the hosts I activated HA.
Thank you.