Best Practices for changing the IP address of vCenter server
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Best Practices for changing the IP address of vCenter server

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Article ID: 379742

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Updated On:

Products

VMware vCenter Server VMware vCenter Server 7.0 VMware vCenter Server 8.0

Issue/Introduction

This article provides best practices for changing the IP address of vCenter. 
It also contains steps using the vCenter Administrator Management Interface.

Environment

VMware vCenter (All Versions)

Cause

The user can have circumstances where the IP address of vCenter must be changed to reflect a new networking scheme.

Resolution

Follow these Best Practices when making IP address changes to vCenter Server: 

  • Take an offline (powered off) snapshot of the vCenter server prior to making any networking changes.
  • Take a full backup of the vCenter Server Appliance
  • If the vCenter Server is in Enhanced Linked Mode (ELM), make sure to perform offline snapshots for every one of the VCSAs in linked mode at the same time.
  • Verify that the system name of the appliance is an FQDN and not an IP address.
  • Ensure forward/reverse DNS entries have been created for the new IP address of vCenter.
    • From the vCenter: nslookup <FQDN_or_IP_address>
  • If the vCenter Server is connected via a Distributed Switch, move it to a Standard switch or create a new Distributed Port Group with "ephemeral" port binding.
    • Caution! If using LACP, please disable LACP from the physical switch ports before removing an uplink on a VDS.
    • vCenter Server manages the Distributed Switch, creating a circular dependency. Changing the IP address of vCenter while on a Distributed Switch will cause network loss.
    • For details on ephemeral port binding, see article:  Static (non-ephemeral) or ephemeral port binding on a vSphere Distributed Switch
  • Second and third party solutions must be re-registered following any IPv4 or IPv6 address change.
  • To change IP of the vCenter, please follow these KB articles:
  • Changing the vCenter IP.Open the vCenter VAMI    https://<vCenter FQDN>:5489
    This is where the IP for vCenter is set or changed.

  • Next in the vCenter advanced setting enter the new IP in VirtualCenter.AutoManagedIPV4.


    The IP of vCenter has now been changed.

Additional Information

Also ensure to verify runtime settings on vCenter: Verify that the vCenter Server managed address field is reflecting the NEW IP address using the following KB:

Further references:

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