How to Perform vCenter Network Configuration [2 Methods]

The relationship between IP and network

There is a close relationship between IP (Internet Protocol) and network. IP is a network protocol that defines how data is addressed and transmitted in a network. It is one of the protocols underlying the Internet and many other networks.

Network is a collection of interconnected devices and communication links used to transfer data between different devices. Network can be a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or the Internet, among others.

IP address is a unique identifier for a device in a network, similar to a house number. It is used to locate and identify devices in a network. IP address consists of a series of numbers and can be categorized into two formats: IPv4 and IPv6. An IPv4 address consists of a 32-bit binary number, while an IPv6 address consists of a 128-bit binary number.

Each device in a network is assigned a unique IP address to communicate over the network. IP addresses can be used to identify senders and receivers, as well as to determine the path that packets take over the network.

How to change IP configuration of vCenter Server Appliance

Changing the IP configuration of a vCenter Server Appliance (VCSA) may be necessary for various reasons, such as network upgrades, reconfiguration, or changes in your infrastructure. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to change vCenter IP address:

❖ Change the IP Address from the vSphere Client

Using the vSphere client to change the IP Address of vCenter is VMware’s documented and preferred method. It is only a few simple steps.

1. Access the "flash" version of the vSphere client by navigating to the following URL:

http://addressofvcenterserver/vsphere-client

2. After successfully logging in, proceed to the home page and select the Administration menu. On the left-hand side, locate and click on System Configuration.

3. Subsequently, navigate to the Nodes section, and from there, choose the specific VCenter server for which you intend to modify the IP address. Now, click on the Manage tab, and within the Networking category, locate and select the Edit button.

4. You can now proceed to input your desired networking configurations. For each configuration element, such as vCenter DNS settings or the network adapter, expand the relevant section and make the necessary modifications. To save your changes, click on OK.

5. Once you've confirmed your changes by clicking OK, the IP address will be updated. You will then need to log back into vCenter using the newly configured IP Address.

❖ Change the IP Address from the console

1. To initiate a console session for the VM, simply right-click on the VM.

2. To access the screen offering the "usual ESXi" configuration options, you need to press and hold the ALT key while simultaneously pressing F2. This action will switch you to the familiar interface, which is distinctively blue instead of the usual yellow.

3. Press F2 to access the "Customize System" option. Afterward, log in using an account that possesses the required privileges mentioned in the prerequisites above. Select Configure Management Network. From there, you can choose either IP Configuration to modify the server's IP address or DNS Configuration to make changes to the DNS servers. Once you've made your adjustments, press Enter. Be sure to exit the menu by pressing ESC. You'll be prompted with the option to apply the changes and restart the management network, to which you should select Yes.

Note: As mentioned in the prerequisites above, if your vCenter is configured with the System Name set as the IP address, you will encounter the "Management network configuration not allowed" message, as shown below. In this case, you will encounter vCenter failed to configure network, and you will need to deploy a new instance.

Regular VMware VMs backup to protect your data security

In addition to implementing a robust network configuration for vCenter, safeguarding the data within virtual machines is equally vital. One of the key aspects of maintaining data security is regular backup of vCenter VMs. By incorporating a reliable VMware backup software – AOMEI Cyber Backup into the vCenter environment, you can fortify your data protection strategies, ensuring the integrity and availability of critical information.

◆ Agentless Image Backup: create independent and image-based backup for VMware ESXi and Hyper-V VMs.
◆ Support Free ESXi: Support both paid and free versions of VMware ESXi.
◆ Various Backup Methods: Besides full backup, you can perform incremental or differential VM backup to capture only changed data and save storage space.
◆ Automated Hot Backup: Auto backup running VMs and notify via email.
◆ Restore from Any Point: Restore a whole VM to usable state from any history backup version.

AOMEI Cyber Backup supports VMware ESXi 6.0 and later versions. Here I will demonstrate how to backup VMware ESXi VMs and then restore them with ease. Click the following button to download the 30-day free trial.

*You can choose to install this VM backup software on either Windows or Linux system.

Specific procedures to back up and restore VMware VMs

Step 1. Access to AOMEI Cyber Backup web client, select Source Device, click VMware to bind your vCenterdevice directly.

Step 2. Create Backup Task: Navigate to Backup Task and Create New Task. Then select VMware ESXi Backup for Backup Type. After that, set the Task Name, Device, Target, Schedule and Cleanup according to your need.

Step 3. Click Start Backup and choose Add the schedule and start backup now or Add the schedule only.

Step 4. When your backups are completed, it’s easy to restore entire virtual machines to another place when a disaster strikes. Navigate to Start Restore, you can change restore location here to create a new VM or another datastore/host.

Conclusion

vCenter Network Configuration is a critical aspect of managing your virtualized environment. Understanding the relationship between IP and the network, configuring the management network of vCenter Server, and knowing how to change IP configurations are fundamental skills for any VMware administrator.

Additionally, regular backups of your VMware VMs are crucial for data security and business continuity. By mastering these aspects, you can ensure the reliability, security, and efficiency of your virtualized infrastructure, ultimately contributing to the success of your organization.