Preparation for vCenter IP change

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VMware vCenter Server

This is a guide on how to prepare for vCenter management interface IP change for common scenarios.

VMware vCenter Server

All scenarios:

Make a backup of the vCenter VCSA
- File-based backup option for VCSA
- Image-based backup option for VCSA
In addition to backups, take a snapshot of the vCenter VM
Make sure ESXi host where the vCenter VM resides has its uplink properly tagged for the VLAN required
Be sure to make the appropriate change of DNS records of vCenter
Make sure to evacuate all critical VMs on the same host as the vCenter VM and change DRS on manual mode

Scenario 1: Management interface is on a standard switch.

Things to prepare:
- Please ensure before proceeding you have access to the DCUI/iLO/iDRAC for the host where vCenter VM resides
To change IP of the vCenter, please follow these KBs:
- Best Practices for Changing the IP Address of vCenter 7.x/8.x
- Configure the DNS, IP Address, and Proxy Settings

Scenario 2: Management interface is on a vCenter distributed switch (VDS) or N-VDS (NSX Virtual Distributed Switch) or cVDS (Converged vDS)

Things to prepare:
- Create a new standard switch on the host where vCenter VM resides if there isn't one already.
- In order to create a new standard switch, this may require removing an uplink from an existing VDS if no usable vmnic is available. (Caution! If using LACP, please disable LACP from the physical switch ports before removing an uplink on a VDS)
- Migrate management interface to the new standard switch (VSS)
Once the vCenter management interface is on a VSS, follow scenario 1 for making the IP changes

There maybe additional preparation required besides outlined from above. This list is not exhaustive.

Further references:

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