How to migrate a Content Library from a datastore to another

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

This article has the instructions on how to move the objects of a Content Library from a datastore to another since there is no direct method of storage migration of those objects.

 

Environment

vSphere all versions.

Cause

This action is necessary when the Content Library is stored in a datastore that is reaching it's capacity limit and has no option to expand hence needs to free up space.

Resolution

1. Create a new Content Library in the destination new datastore (adjust it to have the same settings than the old one).
2. Select the old content library and select all the items showing in the "VM Templates" "OVF & OVA Templates" and "Other Types".
3. Right click on selected items and choose "Clone Item"
4. Choose the new created Content Library as destination of the items.
5. Wait until all the items are copied.
6. Rename the old content library to anything else.
7. Rename the new content library to the name to be used like the old one.
8. Validate the new content library can be used successfully.
9. Delete the old content library.

Additional Information

Note: This process will create a new content library ID, hence any solutions that require the specific ID instead of the name of the content library must be adjusted to the new content library ID.