Migrating a VMkernel interface used for the management network between standard vSwitches

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

This article provides steps to migrate the VMkernel interface that is used for management traffic between standard vSwitches.

Environment

VMware ESXi 3.5.x Embedded
VMware vSphere ESXi 5.0
VMware ESXi 3.5.x Installable
VMware ESXi 4.0.x Installable
VMware vSphere ESXi 5.5
VMware ESXi 4.0.x Embedded
VMware ESXi 4.1.x Installable
VMware ESXi 4.1.x Embedded
VMware vSphere ESXi 5.1

Resolution

Note: Before migrating a VMkernel interface, VMware recommends to disable HA (or host monitoring under HA) to prevent HA/FDM from restarting virtual machines.

You can migrate the VMkernel interface between two standard virtual switches or more with this method in the console/KVM, using the DCUI shell.
 

Using DCUI on the Console/KVM

1. Press Alt+F1 at the console/KVM and log in to the command line as root.
2. Run this command to list the VMkernel interfaces:
   
   # esxcfg-vmknic -l
    
3. Run this command to delete the VMkernel interface that you want to migrate from the port group to which it belongs:
   
   # esxcfg-vmknic -d Port_Group_Name
    
4. Run this command to add the VMkernel port to the destination vSwitch:
   
   # esxcfg-vswitch –A "Port_Group_Name" vSwitch0
   
   For example:
   
   esxcfg-vswitch –A "Management" vSwitch0
   
   Note: After migrating the management interface, you can re-enable HA.
    
5. To add the interface you removed in step 3 to the Port Group you created in step 4, run this command:
   
   # esxcfg-vmknic -a -i x.x.x.x -n y.y.y.y Port_Group_Name
   
   For example:
   
   # esxcfg-vmknic –a -i 192.168.100.1 -n 255.255.255.0 "Management"

Note:

• This method also works if used in an SSH root login, but only if you SSH into a previously created secondary management interface with an address different from the original management interface.
• Do make sure that you have a configured management IP address in the different "PortGroup" in a different vSwitch to manage the host for time being as you would lose connectivity to the host if making the change to existing management interface or deleting the Port group or vSwitch.

 

Additional Information

標準 vSwitch 間の管理ネットワークに使用される VMkernel インターフェイスの移行
在标准 vSwitch 之间迁移用于管理网络的 VMkernel 接口