Best Practices for changing the IP address of vCenter server

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. 

Environment

VMware vCenter (All Versions)

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
  • File-based backup option for VCSA 
  • Image-based backup option for VCSA
• 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.
  • The system name is used as primary network identifier (PNID).
  • Reconfigure the Primary Network Identifier
• 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:
  • Best Practices for Changing the IP Address of vCenter 7.x/8.x
  • Configure the DNS, IP Address, and Proxy Settings

Additional Information

• Configure the DNS, IP Address, and Proxy Settings

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:

• Changing vCenter Server IP address causes ESXi hosts to disconnect

Further references:

• VMware vCenter Server IP address change/incorrect causes VMware ESXi hosts to disconnect
• vCenter network connectivity lost - Recover vCenter network when connected to a Distributed Switch
• Best Practices for Changing the IP Address of vCenter 7.x/8.x
• ESXi hosts disconnecting after changing IP address of vCenter
• How to change/update DNS Server IP address for vCenter Server