vSphere Replication Does Not Start After Moving the Host

If you move the ESXi Server on which the vSphere Replication appliance runs to the inventory of another vCenter Server instance, vSphere Replication operations are not available. If you reinstall vCenter Server, vSphere Replication operations are also unavailable.

Problem

If the ESXi Server instance on which vSphere Replication runs is disconnected from vCenter Server and is connected to another vCenter Server instance, you cannot access vSphere Replication functions. If you try to restart vSphere Replication, the service does not start.

Cause

The OVF environment for the vSphere Replication appliance is stored in the vCenter Server database. When the ESXi host is removed from the vCenter Server inventory, the OVF environment for the vSphere Replication appliance is lost. This action deactivates the mechanisms that the vSphere Replication appliance uses to authenticate with vCenter Server.

Solution

1. (Optional) If possible, redeploy the vSphere Replication appliance and configure all replications and if possible, reuse the existing .vmdk files as initial copies.
   1. Power off the old vSphere Replication appliances.
   2. Remove any temporary hbr* files from the target datastore folders.
   3. Deploy new vSphere Replication appliances and connect the sites.
   4. Configure all replications, reusing the existing replica .vmdk files as initial copies.
2. (Optional) If you cannot redeploy the vSphere Replication appliance, use the VRMS Appliance Management Interface to connect vSphere Replication to the original vCenter Server instance.
   1. Reconnect the ESXi host to vCenter Server.
   2. Connect to the VRMS Appliance Management Interface of the vSphere Replication server at https://vr-server-address:5480 .
3. Click Summary, and click Reconfigure.
4. On the Platform Services Controller page, enter the information about the site where you deployed the vSphere Replication Appliance.
5. If prompted, click Connect to verify the Platform Services Controller certificate.
6. On the vCenter Server page, select the new vCenter Server instance, and click Next.
7. On the Name and Extension page, enter the necessary information to register the vSphere Replication Appliance with vCenter Server, and add a storage traffic IP address.
8. On the Ready to Complete page, review your settings and click Finish.
9. If you use the VRMS Appliance Management Interface solution, you must repeat the steps each time that you change the vSphere Replication certificate.