Changing the Windows vCenter Server 4.x and 5.0 hostname

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

vCenter 4.x and 5.0 service fails to start after changing the FQDN/hostname.

Environment

• VMware vCenter Server 5.0.x
• VMware vCenter Server 4.1.x
• VMware vCenter Server 4.0.x

Resolution

VMware does not support changing hostname for vCenter Server. If the vCenter Server name has changed refer one of the following steps to fix the issue.

• Revert to a snapshot or backup prior to the IP address or hostname change. 
  OR
• Redeploy vCenter using existing SQL or Orcale database to maintain the vCenter inventory information.

Refer to the following steps for how to rename the vCenter Server name.

Changing the host name of a Windows vCenter Server invalidates the SSL certificates that are used to encrypt session information. vCenter Server will fail to start if the certificates are invalid. Reinstalling vCenter Server will reuse the old certificates if the file directories are still present after uninstalling vCenter Server.

To change the hostname of the vCenter Server:

1. Change the name of the vCenter Server host.
2. Stop the VMware vCenter Server services.
3. In Windows 2003 and later, delete certificates in the directories listed below
   For Windows 2003, the locations are typically:
   <C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\VMware\VMware VirtualCenter\SSL>
<C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\VMware\Infrastructure\Inventory>
   For Windows 2008, the locations are typically:
   <C:\Program Data\VMware\VMware VirtualCenter\SSL>
<C:\Program Files\VMware\Infrastructure\Inventory Service\SSL>
4. Uninstall vCenter Server.
5. Restart the system.
6. Reinstall vCenter Server.
   Note: During installation choose the option use existing database to retain the old vCenter information.

Additional Information

• Cannot start vCenter Server or Platform Service Controller services (2130599)
• Cannot change the vCenter Server or Platform Service Controller 6.x hostname