Shrink VMware vCenter Server after deployment using the backup and restore feature

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

• A situation may be encountered where VMware vCenter Server is deployed with a larger storage size than necessary.

• There is no built-in option to reduce the deployment size after an upgrade.

• If an attempt is made to back up the appliance and restore it to a freshly deployed appliance with a smaller size, the process fails because the sizes do not match.

• During an upgrade to a new build, the steps in the related KB: "The VCSA Installation wizard incorrectly detects the storage deployment size of the source vCenter during migration or upgrade" can be followed.

Environment

VMware vCenter Server 8.x

Resolution

There is no official method to accomplish this outcome directly; however, below workaround can be used.

1. Back up the source appliance following the official method for File-based backup and restore of vCenter Server.

2. Deploy a new appliance normally with the correct sizing as per the document: "Install vCenter Server and Deploy vCenter Server Appliance Common Task Steps".

3. Edit the backup-metadata.json file as explained in the article: '"Metadata and system validation failed" message when attempting a file-based restore of vCenter Server".

4. Go directly to the vCenter Server Appliance Management Interface (VAMI) page of the new appliance by navigating to https://<new_vcenter_FQDN_or_IP>:5480 and use the restore feature to restore the backup.

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

6. For this method to work, enough free space is required on the destination appliance to receive the source files.