Query and change the Platform Services Controller being used by vCenter Server in vSphere 6.0

Mar 15, 2016 PSC vCenter VMware vSphere
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Here’s a quick guide on how to query and change the Platform Services Controller (PSC) being used by vCenter.  Querying for the in-use PSC is possible on vCenter 6.0, but changing the PSC is only possible on 6.0 Update 1 or newer.  Note that I performed these steps on the vCenter Server Appliance (VCSA), and while I have also included some commands for a Windows-based vCenter server, I haven’t tested them myself.

Query the PSC being used by vCenter Server

There are two ways to identify this information: via the appliance console or SSH session, and via vSphere Web Client.

Option 1: via the appliance console or SSH session

On a VCSA

1/usr/lib/vmware-vmafd/bin/vmafd-cli get-ls-location --server-name localhost

On a Windows vCenter

1C:\Program Files\VMware\vCenter Server\vmafdd\vmafd-cli get-ls-location --server-name localhost

Option 2: via the vSphere Web Client

In the vSphere Web Client, navigate to the server’s Advanced Settings (vCenter > Manage > Settings > Advanced settings) there is a property called config.vpxd.sso.admin.uri.  The value of this property is the PSC that vCenter is currently using.

vCenter advanced settings

Change (repoint) the PSC being used by vCenter Server

This step is a bit more detailed, as it depends on whether you are changing/repointing between PSC’s in a single SSO site, between SSO sites, or moving from an embedded PSC to an external PSC, and also whether you are using a VCSA or a Windows-based vCenter Server.  For this reason I’ll link directly to the VMware documentation for each scenario.

Option 1: Repointing within a site (KB 2113917).

  1. Connect to the VCSA console, or via SSH.
  2. Enable the shell (if necessary) and enter it.
  3. Run the vmafd-cli command.
1/usr/lib/vmware-vmafd/bin/vmafd-cli set-dc-name --server-name localhost --dc-name systemname_of_second_PSC
  1. Restart the PSC services.

Option 2: Repointing between sites (KB 2131191).

Review the KB article for a full set of steps.

Option 3:  Repointing from an embedded PSC to an External PSC (KB 2148924).

Review the KB article for a full set of steps.

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