Changing the DNS and/or NTP servers on a Clustered Deployment of VCF Operations for Networks

Products

• VCF Operations for Networks

Issue/Introduction

You need to change DNS and/or NTP servers on a clustered deployment of VCF Operations for Networks after it has been deployed. 

 

NOTE:  VCF Operations for Networks was formerly named Aria Operations for Networks (AON), and prior to that was named vRealize Network Insight (vRNI).

Environment

VCF Operations for Networks

Resolution

STEPS TO FOLLOW:

1. Follow the instructions in KB Best practices to shutdown VCF Operations for Networks Clustered deployments to shut the environment down and take powered off snapshots of the collectors and platform nodes. 
   
   
2. After you have taken powered off snapshots of the platform and collector nodes, power on each of the platform nodes, starting with 1, and then going one by one until the highest number platform node in your cluster is powered on.  At this time, DO NOT power on the collector node(s). 
   
   
3. Use the "start services" feature of the script in Best practices to shutdown VCF Operations for Networks Clustered deployments to start all the services in the correct sequence.
   
   
4. If you are changing the DNS servers, start with platform node 1 and use the instructions in Add/Modify the IP Address, Gateway, Netmask and DNS server/IP after VMware Aria Operations for Networks appliances are deployed to change the DNS server(s). 
   • NOTES: 
     • As with any significant network change, such as modifying IP addresses, subnet masks, gateways, or DNS settings. a reboot is required to fully apply and stabilize, as changes may not persist or take effect properly otherwise. 
     • The reboot that will happen as part of making this change will NOT cause the symptoms described in KB "HRegion Service running but not healthy" and possible other issues observed in VCF Operations for Networks
       
       
5. Repeat step 4 for each platform node, proceeding in ascending numerical sequence, one at a time, until you have completed the highest numbered platform node.  
   
   
6. If you are changing the NTP settings, start with platform node 1 and use the instructions in KB Configuring NTP Servers in VMware Aria Operations for Networks (AON) to change the NTP settings.
   
   
7. Repeat step 7 for each platform node, proceeding in ascending numerical sequence, one at a time, until you have completed the highest numbered platform node.
   
   
8. At this time, you will have completed the platform nodes.
   
   
9. Now, power on the first collector node.  After it is powered on:
   
   
   1. If you are changing the DNS server(s), use the instructions in Add/Modify the IP Address, Gateway, Netmask and DNS server/IP after VMware Aria Operations for Networks appliances are deployed to change the DNS server(s)
      
      
   2. If you are changing the NTP settings, use the instructions in KB Configuring NTP Servers in VMware Aria Operations for Networks (AON) to change the NTP settings.
      
      
10. Repeat step 9 above for each collector node.  The sequence does not matter, but just do one at a time. 

 

AFTER THE ABOVE STEPS ARE COMPLETE: 

• Wait at least 2 hours and confirm there are no issues seen in the GUI, then consolidate the revert point snapshots if no issues are observed.  
  
  
• Consolidate (delete) the revert point snapshots within 24 hours, to avoid excess disk space consumption and performance impairment. 

 

IF THERE ARE ANY ISSUES OR UNEXPECTED RESULTS DURING THE PROCEDURE:

1. Take screen shots showing the issue symptoms
   
   
2. Make note of exactly where in the process the issues began to surface
   
   
3. Follow the steps in If something goes wrong during the maintenance section of KB Best practices to shutdown VCF Operations for Networks Clustered deployments
   
   
4. Open a support case with the VCF Operations for Networks team following the instructions at Creating and managing Broadcom support request (SR) cases