How to restore vCenter Server without a vCenter Server
Challenge
Solution
When adding the standalone ESXi host to Veeam Backup & Replication, if you receive the error:
VMware ESXi with name '<hostnme/fqdn/ip>' already exists.
Use an alternate way to contact the server. For example, if you tried adding the ESXi host by its hostname\FQDN, use the ESXi server's IP address. If you tried using the IP address, instead, add the ESXi host by its hostname\FQDN. If for some reason DNS is not functional when attempting to add the standalone ESXi by its hostname, make a temporary hosts file entry on the Veeam Backup & Replication server and use that alias.
- Add the standalone host to Veeam Backup & Replication.
- Restore the vCenter VM to the standalone host:
Note: Be sure to select the option "Restore to a new location, or with different settings"
- After the vCenter VM is restored, remove the standalone host that was added to Veeam Backup & Replication to facilitate the restore.
More information
Information regarding the IP and Hostname of a standalone ESXi 6.0 or newwer server can be found:
- Login to the Web Client interface.
- Browse to --> Networking menu.
- Select --> TCP/IP Stack menu (or tab).
Information regarding the IP and Hostname of a standalone ESXi 5.5 or older server can be found here:
- Connect to the standalone ESXi host using the vSphere Client
- The hostname for a host Configuration>DNS & Routing.
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