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Reinstalling View Connection Server with a Backup Configuration (2036145)
Details
In certain situations, you might have to reinstall the current version of a View Connection Server instance and restore the existing View configuration by importing a backup LDIF file that contains the View LDAP configuration data.
For example, as part of a business continuity and disaster recovery (BC/DR) plan, you might want to have a procedure ready to implement in case a datacenter stops functioning. The first step in such a plan is to ensure that the View LDAP configuration is backed up in another location. A second step is to install View Connection Server in the new location and import the backup configuration, as described in this procedure.
You might also use this procedure when you set up a second datacenter with the existing View configuration. Or you might use it if your View deployment contains only a single View Connection Server instance, and a problem occurs with that server.
You do not have to follow this procedure if you have multiple View Connection Server instances in a replicated group, and a single instance goes down. You can simply reinstall View Connection Server as a replicated instance. During the installation, you provide connection information to another View Connection Server instance, and View restores the View LDAP configuration from the other instance.
Solution
Prerequisites
Verify that the View LDAP configuration was backed up to an encrypted LDIF file.
Familiarize yourself with restoring a View LDAP configuration from an LDIF backup file by using the vdmimport command.
Familiarize yourself with the steps for installing a new View Connection Server instance. See "Install View Connection Server with a New Configuration" in the VMware View Installation document.
Procedure
Install View Connection Server with a new configuration.
Note: If you do not remember your data recovery password, run this command without the -p option. The utility displays the password reminder and prompts you to enter the password.
Import the decrypted LDIF file to restore the View LDAP configuration. For example:
vdmimport -f MyDecryptedexport.LDF
NOTE: At this stage, the View configuration is not yet accessible. View clients cannot access View Connection Server or connect to their desktops.
Uninstall the View Connection Server from the computer by using the Windows Add/Remove Programs utility.
Do not uninstall the View LDAP configuration, called the AD LDS Instance VMwareVDMDS instance. You can use the Add/Remove Programs utility to verify that the AD LDS Instance VMwareVDMDS instance was not removed from the Windows Server computer.
Reinstall View Connection Server.
At the installer prompt, accept the existing View LDAP directory.
What to do next
Configure View Connection Server and your View environment as you would after you install a View Connection Server instance with a new configuration. See "Install View Connection Server with a New Configuration," "Configuring SSL Certificates for View Servers," and "Configuring View for the First Time" in the VMware View Installation document.
Keywords
View, reinstallation, vdmimport
Update History
01/14/2013 - Added note on password reminder to Step 2.
4/23/2013 - Added VMware Horizon View 5.2.x to the Product list.
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