How to rename a KVM VM with virsh

The syntax is to rename a KVM VM with virsh is as follows:

# virsh domrename {domain} {new-name}

Let’s see an example of renaming a VM using virsh.

1. To rename VM from serverA to serverB, first shutdown the VM:

# virsh shutdown serverA

2. Now to rename a VM, run:

# virsh domrename serverA serverB
Domain successfully renamed

3. To start the VM/domain:

# virsh start serverB

Rename KVM domain with virsh and XML

1. First get domain information in XML and save it to a new file:

# virsh dumpxml serverA > serverB.xml

2. Edit the XML file and change the name between the <name></name>

# vi serverB.xml

Update it as follows from serverA to serverB:
<name>serverB</name>

3. Shutdown the serverA domain/vm:

# virsh shutdown serverA

4. You need to undefine the old VM name:

# virsh undefine serverA

5. Finally, import the edited XML file to define the VM serverB:

# virsh define serverB.xml

6. Start the domain serverB, enter:

# virsh start serverB