Vmware ESXi & VCenter Server Upgrade

[CyBeRkId2002]

Morning all,

 

We are currently planning our first upgrade to our virtual platform over the HT break. Is the process fairly straight forward? Any pitfalls to be aware of? Have checked server compatibility and we have an active support contract so hoping it is fairly straight forward...

 

Am I right in thinking it's pretty much:

 

• Create a new VCServer Appliance for the version we want to upgrade to
  
• Join old and new VCServer appliances to trasnfer config (???)
  
• Docommision old VCenter Server Appliance
  
• Migrate hosts from one of our ESXi hosts
  
• Patch host to latest version
  
• Repeat for remaining hosts
  

 

Any help anyone can offer would be greatly appreciated.

[FN-GM]

I would do this.

 

1. In place upgrade of vCenter on existing Vcenter server.

2. Install / update Vmware update manager on Vcenter.

3. Use update manager to do in place upgrades on the Vmware hosts.

 

All supported by Vmware.

[SpaceInvader83]

What he said.

 

I would do this.

 

1. In place upgrade of vCenter on existing Vcenter server.

2. Install / update Vmware update manager on Vcenter.

3. Use update manager to do in place upgrades on the Vmware hosts.

 

All supported by Vmware.

[CyBeRkId2002]

Cheers for the replies...

 

I don't think in-place upgrades are supported on our version of VCenter, hence the need to migrate across (at least from what I can see)

As for updating VMWare Update manager... is this the thing that runs on a windows server. is it just a matter of installing the version that matches your vcenter install and away you go?

[FN-GM]

is this the thing that runs on a windows server. is it just a matter of installing the version that matches your vcenter install and away you go?

 

Yep.

 

what version are you on?

[CyBeRkId2002]

5.0. Looking to move up to 6.0 (via 5.5)

[FN-GM]

I think you can just go straight upto 6.

[Chris_]

5.0. Looking to move up to 6.0 (via 5.5)

 

I think you can just go straight upto 6.

 

Might be best to go straight from 5 to 6.

 

We're on 5.5, upgraded from 5. But when trying to do an inplace upgrade to 6 it keeps failing.

[CyBeRkId2002]

this page suggests otherwise...

 

https://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=2130664

 

"When upgrade vCenter Server Appliances, you must be running vSphere 5.1 Update 3 or vSphere 5.5.x. vSphere 5.0 is not supported."