Reinitializing the vCenter Server database

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

This article provides steps to reinitialize a vCenter Server SQL database. You may want to reinitialize the database if the database schema is corrupted or if you want to rebuild your environment within vCenter Server.

Symptoms:

Environment

VMware vCenter Server 5.1.x
VMware vCenter Server 5.5.x
VMware vCenter Server 4.0.x
VMware vCenter Server 5.0.x
VMware vCenter Server 4.1.x

Resolution

Notes:

• Before reinitializing the database, attempt a restore from a previous database backup.
• vCenter Server database user should have db_owner role on the database in order to re-initialize.

To initialize a SQL database:

Warning: Reinitializing your vCenter Server database deletes all information about your virtual environment that is managed by vCenter Server. Before proceeding, VMware recommends you to have a valid backup of your database. For more information, see Backing up the vCenter Server database running on Microsoft SQL or SQL Express server (2012138)

1. Stop the VMware VirtualCenter Server service.
   
   To stop the VMware VirtualCenter Server service:
   
   1. Log in to the server that is running vCenter Server as an administrator.
   2. Click Start > Run, type services.msc, and click OK.
   3. From the list of services, right-click VMware VirtualCenter Server service and click Stop.
      
      
2. Click Start > All Programs > Accessories, right-click Command Prompt and click Run as Administrator. The Command Prompt window opens.
3. Navigate to the installation directory of vCenter Server. By default, the installation directory is located at C:\Program Files\VMware\Infrastructure\VirtualCenter Server.
4. Run this command to initialize the database :
   
   vpxd -b
   
   
5. Wait for the command to complete and then start the VMware VirtualCenter Server service.

Additional Information

Backing up the vCenter Server database running on Microsoft SQL or SQL Express server