Question : upgrading to vCenter 4.1 without migrating the vCenter SQL database

Hi All,

I am planning to install the new vCenter server to a new server and start with a new blank database using the bundled SQL Express 2005 and join/connect the esx hosts to this new vCenter. (ie without actually migrating the existing vCenter SQL database contents)

-This is to achieve a clean setup as we are having issues in some reporting features etc in the current vCenter 4.0 setup/db...
-I can copy and migrate the SSL certificates and/or the vpxd.cfg file.
-It is a small setup with 2 hosts and around 5 prduction VMs on them.

The question is:
-will I lose any data (such as SAN volumes etc)
-will this cause any service disruption on esx hosts?
-Is this safe and what will I lose and need to re configure exactly?

I dont have a chance/resources to test/learn this and advise from anyone who has done this before would be helpful.

Kind Regards
Deniz

Answer : upgrading to vCenter 4.1 without migrating the vCenter SQL database

This should be safe and non-disruptive. The SAN information is local to each ESX(i) host and will appear when you join the host to the new vcenter server. You will need to re-creae all of your datacenter objects and clusters, remove the ESX(i) hosts from the old vcenter, and join them to the new vcenter.

One thing to look out for, if you have enabled lockdown mode on your ESX(i) hosts disable it before you attempt the move, otherwise the host will be orphaned because it won't accept the root user credentials to join to the new vcenter.

Good Luck