[HCX] Migrating HCX appliances to a different cluster

Products

• VMware HCX

Issue/Introduction

Provided the process to migrate HCX appliances from one cluster to another.

Symptoms:
There may come a time where a user is wanting to have the current HCX environment stood up in a different cluster, but are not wanting to create a completely new Compute Profile and Service Mesh. Hence, the need for the HCX appliances to be migrated to a different cluster.

Resolution

Note: Please know it is recommended to deploy a new Compute Profile and Service Mesh for the new cluster, rather than vMotioning the HCX appliances to a different cluster.

Ensure all steps are completed to ensure all HCX Appliances come up on the new cluster:

1. Ensure the desired cluster meets all HCX requirements for the required ports for the HCX appliances and migration types - https://ports.esp.vmware.com/home/VMware-HCX
2. Edit the current Compute Profile and change the "Deployment Cluster" to the desired cluster. 
3. Ensure the desired cluster is attached to the same dvswitches/transport zones as the previous cluster. The current port-groups in the Network Profile must be in-use by the hosts in the desired cluster. 
4. Resync the Service Mesh in the HCX UI - The resync will display a message indicating that the appliances will be redeployed. 

Note: Please know this process will require a redeploy of the HCX Appliances, which will cause downtime. It is recommended to take a maintenance window during this process, in case any issues may arise.

Workaround:
Create a new Compute Profile with the desired Deployment Cluster and create a Service Mesh.

Additional Information

Creating a Compute Profile

Compute Profile Considerations and Concepts

Impact/Risks:
Not following correct procedures could result in all HCX appliances going into a down state. Depending on if there are Network Extension appliances with extended networks, those VMs could lose connectivity.