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How to perform a fresh install of Virtual Storage Console and maintain backup job information

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    May 12, 2025
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Last Updated:
5/12/2025, 11:17:09 AM

Applies to

Virtual Storage Console (VMware)

Description

This article describes the procedure that should be followed to perform a fresh installation of NetApp's Virtual Storage Console (VSC) for VMware. There are many reasons why a fresh installation might be needed or desired. Follow these instructions as directed by NetApp Support, or if you would like to completely remove VSC for VMware instead of performing an in-place upgrade.

The procedure below will guide you through performing a fresh install of VSC for VMware but maintain your configured backups.

Note: An account with Administrator privileges is needed in order to install VSC.

The procedure described in this article applies to:

  • Virtual Storage Console (VSC) 4.x Host Client

  • Virtual Storage Console (VSC) 5.x Web Client

  • Virtual Storage Console (VSC) 6.x Web Client

Procedure

PREREQUISITES/REQUIREMENTS: 

A new install of Virtual Storage Console requires the following information. Please ensure that this information is known before proceeding with a new install.

  • Account information for registering VSC with the vCenter server

  • Storage controller credentials

Perform the following steps to completely remove VSC. After VSC has been removed from the server, proceed with a clean install.

Note: It is important not to carry over files that contain stale configuration data from the old VSC install. Eliminate this possibility by removing the old Virtual Storage Console directory completely and only restoring specific files relating to backup jobs.

Virtual Storage Console retains information pertaining to backups in the Virtual Storage Console directory (typically C:\Program Files\NetApp\Virtual Storage Console\SMVI\server\repository).

Before starting a new install of VSC, make a copy of the repository directory. Copy this folder to a safe location.

  1. Stop the NetApp SnapManager for Virtual Infrastructure service.

  2. Copy the C:\Program Files\NetApp\Virtual Storage Console\SMVI\server\repository directory to a safe location.

  3. Uninstall the old instance of VSC.

  4. After VSC has been uninstalled through Programs and Features, delete the Virtual Storage Console directory. This is typically located at C:\Program Files\NetApp\Virtual Storage Console.

Note: If you are unable to delete the Virtual Storage Console directory, confirm that you do not have any processes running or still using that folder or that there are no other windows or command prompts that are pointed to that folder.

STEPS:

After the old instance of VSC has been removed, proceed with the new installation of VSC. To perform the new installation of Virtual Storage Console, perform the following steps:

  1. Download the VSC installer from the NetApp Support Site.

  2. Right-click on the VSC installer file and select Run as Administrator to start the installation wizard.

  3. Follow the instructions in the installation wizard to install the software.
    Note: If you want to install Backup and Recovery, select that option. Otherwise, the VSC installer does not install it.

  4. Click Finish to complete the installation.

  5. Once the installation is complete, register VSC with the vCenter Server on the Web page that is displayed.

  6. After VSC has been installed, add the storage controllers and allow discovery to complete.

In VSC 4.2.2, go to Monitoring and Host Configuration > Overview to add storage controllers:

1014618__en_US__solutions10146181014618_1.jpg

In VSC 5.x/6.x, go to Virtual Storage Console > Storage Systems to add storage controllers:

1014618__en_US__solutions10146181014618_2.jpg.png

To restore the backup jobs, perform the following steps:

Note: To ensure that the VSC service is seen by the vCenter service, stop the following services and restart them in the order listed.

  1. Stop the NetApp SnapManager for Virtual Infrastructure and Virtual Storage Console services.

  2. Locate the 'repository' directory that was backed up from the old install.

  3. Copy the scheduledBackups.xml file, backups.xml file, and the backupsjobs folder into the new repository folder (typically C:\Program Files\NetApp\Virtual Storage Console\SMVI\server\repository).

  4. Start the NetApp SnapManager for Virtual Infrastructure and Virtual Storage Console services.

  5. Stop and restart the vCenter Virtual Center Server service to allow it to register the new VSC plug-in.
    After this is complete, your backup jobs should be present within VSC.

Additional Information

N/A

 

NetApp provides no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or reliability or serviceability of any information or recommendations provided in this publication or with respect to any results that may be obtained by the use of the information or observance of any recommendations provided herein. The information in this document is distributed AS IS and the use of this information or the implementation of any recommendations or techniques herein is a customer's responsibility and depends on the customer's ability to evaluate and integrate them into the customer's operational environment. This document and the information contained herein may be used solely in connection with the NetApp products discussed in this document.