just to clarfiy, where you say "Removing the host from inventory would preserve all the settings that are already on it", is that dependant on using host profiles? or independant all together. so even if i dont go and configure a host profile, by removing the host from inventory, i will not lose all those settings network, DNS, NTP, IP etc. ?
so consequently, by "removing from inventory", I assume you imply option 2 (as opt 1 is not available given the host was not manageable):
(excerpt from the vcentre Help Topics: Removing Hosts-)
"
1) Removing a Host from a Cluster
A host can be removed from a cluster only if all the virtual machines on it are powered off and the host is placed into maintenance mode.
Removing a managed host from VirtualCenter does not remove the virtual machines from the managed host or datastore. It removes only VirtualCenter's access to the managed host and virtual machines on that managed host. The managed host and its associated virtual machines are removed from the inventory
thus, when the host server is available, i just re-add the host with the same name and it should recreate with the same settings as before? is this because the host settings are all saved on the host itself, rather than vcentre? or have i got it wrong? just to clarfiy, where are the host settings kept?