Shrink vCenter after deployment using Backup/Restore feature

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

• By mistake vcenter was deployed with a bigger size than it should
• There is no option to reduce the size of deployment after the upgrade
• During the upgrade to a new build you can follow steps from KB -  The VCSA Installation wizard incorrectly detects the storage deployment size of the source vCenter during migration or upgrade
• Backup the appliance and restore it to a newly fresh deployed appliance fails as the sizes don't match

Environment

VMware vCenter Server 7.x / 8.x

Cause

There is no official method to accomplish this outcome however a workaround can be used

Resolution

Workaround

• Backup the source appliance following the official method File-Based Backup and Restore of vCenter Server 
• Deploy a new appliance normally with the correct sizing as per the document - Install vCenter Server and Deploy vCenter Server Appliance Common Task Steps
• Edit the backup "backup-metadata.json" file as explained "Metadata and system validation failed" message when attempting a file-based restore of vCenter Server
• Go directly to the VAMI page of the new appliance and use the restore feature to restore your backup: 

https://<new_vcenter_FQDN/IP>:5480

Notes:

Stage 2 will be done from inside the new appliance and steps will be the same as from Stage 2 - Transfer Data to the Newly Deployed Appliance so simply close the automated wizard after Stage 1 and go inside the VAMI page

For this method to work you need to have enough space on the destination appliance to receive the source files