How to Change the PNID in vCenter: A Step-by-Step Guide

PNID is an essential aspect of vCenter, and it is not uncommon to encounter a PNID mismatch error when attempting to upgrade vCenter. The PNID is compared to the hostname, and if they match, the upgrade can proceed. However, if there is a mismatch, the upgrade cannot be completed.

In this article, we will explore what PNID is and how it can be modified.

What is PNID?

PNID stands for Platform Services Controller (PSC) Node ID in vCenter Server. The PSC is a component of the vCenter Server that provides common infrastructure services such as single sign-on (SSO), licensing, and certificate management.

In a vCenter Server environment with multiple PSCs, each PSC has a unique identifier called the PNID. This identifier is used to ensure that communication between PSCs is properly secured and to maintain a consistent view of the vCenter Server environment across all nodes.

The PNID is assigned during the installation of the PSC and is typically a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) or IP address. It can be viewed in the vSphere Web Client under the vCenter Server tab in the vCenter Server Systems section.

You can use the command below to check the PNID:

/usr/lib/vmware-vmafd/bin/vmafd-cli get-pnid --server-name localhost

There are two ways to change the PNID in the Center

Both methods are valid ways to change the PNID in vCenter, but the steps involved may differ slightly depending on the method you choose. The VAMI method is typically faster and easier, while the vSphere Web Client method may offer more advanced options and greater flexibility. Ultimately, the method you choose will depend on your preferences and the specific requirements of your vSphere environment.

How to change the PNID in the Center using VAMI

To change the PNID in vCenter using the vSphere Appliance Management Interface (VAMI), you can follow the steps below:

1. Log in to the vCenter Server Appliance VAMI by navigating to the following URL in a web browser: https://<vCenter_Server_Appliance_IP_address_or_FQDN>:5480.
2. Enter the root credentials to log in.
3. Click the “Networking” tab in the left-hand menu.
4. Click the “Address” tab and select the network interface that you want to configure.
5. Click the “Edit” button and enter the new PNID in the “Platform Services Controller Node ID” field.
6. Click “Save Settings” to apply the changes.
7. Restart the vCenter Server services for the changes to take effect. You can do this by clicking the “Summary” tab, scrolling down to the “Services” section, and clicking the “Restart” button.

After the vCenter Server services have been restarted, the new PNID will be displayed in the vSphere Web Client under the vCenter Server tab in the vCenter Server Systems section.

Note that changing the PNID may affect your vSphere environment, so it’s important to thoroughly test the changes before making them in a production environment.

How to change the PNID in the Center using CLI

To change the PNID in vCenter using the command-line interface (CLI), you can follow the steps below:

• Log in to the vCenter Server Appliance shell as the root user.
• Use the command to update the PNID. The syntax of the command is as follows:

/usr/lib/vmware-vmafd/bin/vmafd-cli set-pnid --server-name localhost --pnid <PNID-NAME>

• Wait for the command to complete. This may take several minutes, depending on the size of your vSphere environment.
• Restart the vCenter Server services to apply the changes. You can do this using the following command:

service-control --stop --all
service-control --start --all

After the vCenter Server services have been restarted, the new PNID will be displayed in the vSphere Web Client under the vCenter Server tab in the vCenter Server Systems section.

After the PNID update

• Re-join to the Active Directory (AD) after the vCenter Server Appliance (VCSA) PNID change.
• Regenerate all custom certificates.
• Register all products back to VCSA.
• Reconfigure vSphere High Availability (VCHA).

Conclusion

In conclusion, changing the PNID in vCenter is a critical task that should be approached with caution. The PNID serves as an identifier for the vCenter Server instance, and any changes made to it can impact other services and applications that are integrated with vCenter. Whether you choose to change the PNID using the vSphere Appliance Management Interface (VAMI), the vSphere Web Client, or the command-line interface (CLI), it is important to thoroughly test the changes before making them in a production environment. With careful planning and execution, you can successfully change the PNID in vCenter and ensure the continued stability and functionality of your vSphere environment.