Tag: Change IP Addresses

Several months ago I was asked how to change all the vSAN VMkernel port IP Addresses in a vSphere cluster and today I was asked again, so here it is.

Non-Disruptively

Assuming each host has 2 VMkernel ports (a & b) enabled for vSAN traffic.

• Disable vSAN traffic on each of the b networking interfaces on each host
• Change the IP addresses on each of the b networking interfaces on each host
• Move the physical network cable if moving to new switch ports
• Re-enable vSAN traffic on each of the b networking interfaces on each host
• Verify communication between all the b networking interfaces using vmkping test.
  • Testing VMkernel network connectivity with the vmkping command (1003728) https://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=1003728
• Repeat for all the a networking interfaces

Disruptively (downtime is OK and/or the hosts are being moved)

• Follow the vSAN enabled vSphere cluster shutdown process:
  • VSAN Part 11 – Shutting down the VSAN cluster http://cormachogan.com/2013/12/10/vsan-part-11-shutting-down-the-vsan-cluster/
• Or, if vCenter is running on the cluster, follow:
  • Shutting down and powering on a VSAN 6.x Cluster when vCenter Server is running on top of VSAN (2142676) https://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=2142676
• Move the hosts or the physical network cables if necessary.
• Power the hosts back on.
• Change the IPs of the VSAN VMKernel ports.
• Verify communication between all the networking interfaces using vmkping test.
  • Testing VMkernel network connectivity with the vmkping command (1003728) https://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=1003728
• Power on VM’s