change from MSDE to MSSQL database

[robvoi]

Hi.

Up till now I did use an MSDE database for our VCS.

But the DB as well as the amount of ESX nodes is growing and I would like to use an MSSQL database. It would be best if I could keep my settings and historical data.

Is there any manual/best practice on how to do such a switch?

Or does one of you has a how-to?

Thanks and Greets

Robert

[oreeh]

The steps in short

Install MSSQL on another server (make sure to use the same authentication settings)

Using the SQL tools connect to the MSDE

Backup the MSDE database

Restore the MSDE DB to MSSQL

Reconfigure the VC ODBC to use the new hos

[davidbarclay]

In case anyone else is reading this too, "backup and restore" of the database is not necessarily a traditional backup/restore. There are SQL stored procedures to disconnect and reconnect a database.

sp_detach_db and sp_attach_db

Quick and easy transfer of data to a new SQL server.

Dave

[esiebert7625]

Also if you have a small ESX environment and don't really care about the historical statistic data you can simply point VC to the new SQL server by shutting it down and changing the ODBC connection. Then you can run \Program Files\VMware\VMware VirtualCenter 2.0\vpxd.exe –b to reset and re-initialize the database. Optionally you can re-install VC and have it create a new database for you. Then you just add your ESX hosts back in and you're done.

[robvoi]

Thanks for the input.

An backup and restore to the SQL server worked. I had to change the authentication method (VCS service now runs under a domain account, this account has rights to the SQL database) but the rest was no problem.

Robert