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jeffgetz
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vCenter 4.1 Update 1 Upgrade to Update 2

Hey All,

I'm stuck on something and need some assistance. We have an vSphere 4.1 environment that we need to upgrade from 4.1 Update 1 to 4.1 Update 2. I've never done this before and I'm struggling with the proper way to do it. My understanding is that you have to update your vCenter server first, then Update Manager, and then you can use UM to update the ESXi hosts. I found a post that said that the only way to vCenter was to do a fresh install of 4.1 Update 2. 

If this is correct, how do I do a fresh install of vCenter without losing all of my configurations? I kicked off the install program and it does ask me which database I want to install to (i.e. the included SQL 2005 Express or an existing DB). If I point it to the DSN for my existing DB, will it overwrite the DB or will it just install the update and leave the DB in place?

I'm guessing that the same question would be relevant to the UM update as well.

Side notes...I've cloned both my vCenter App Server VM and the vCenter DB Server VM, though I'd prefer not to clobber my primaries. I'm on an isolated network, so I don't have access to the VMware patch repositories. And, I can't jump to vSphere 5. Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,


Jeff

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arturka
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Hi

Before you do anything read that doc
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r41/vsp_41_upgrade_guide.pdf (for you the most interested part will be on page 37 - in place upgrade)

jeffgetz wrote:

Hey All,

I'm stuck on something and need some assistance. We have an vSphere 4.1 environment that we need to upgrade from 4.1 Update 1 to 4.1 Update 2. I've never done this before and I'm struggling with the proper way to do it. My understanding is that you have to update your vCenter server first, then Update Manager, and then you can use UM to update the ESXi hosts. I

Yes, first step is always venter with all components (VUM, converter, etc) and after vCenter upgrade you can do ESXi upgrade via VUM

If this is correct, how do I do a fresh install of vCenter without losing all of my configurations? I kicked off the install program and it does ask me which database I want to install to (i.e. the included SQL 2005 Express or an existing DB). If I point it to the DSN for my existing DB, will it overwrite the DB or will it just install the update and leave the DB in place?

No, it wil not overwrite a DB, it will ask if you wanna upgrade current DB or not

I'm guessing that the same question would be relevant to the UM update as well.

yes

Side notes...I've cloned both my vCenter App Server VM and the vCenter DB Server VM, though I'd prefer not to clobber my primaries. I'm on an isolated network, so I don't have access to the VMware patch repositories. And, I can't jump to vSphere 5. Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Do you wanna perform upgrade on isolated VM's and move them later to PROD ? I suggest to clone vCenter VM and DB VM first and do upgrade on PROD servers not on cloned.

Good Luck

VCDX77 My blog - http://vmwaremine.com

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arturka
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Hi

Before you do anything read that doc
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r41/vsp_41_upgrade_guide.pdf (for you the most interested part will be on page 37 - in place upgrade)

jeffgetz wrote:

Hey All,

I'm stuck on something and need some assistance. We have an vSphere 4.1 environment that we need to upgrade from 4.1 Update 1 to 4.1 Update 2. I've never done this before and I'm struggling with the proper way to do it. My understanding is that you have to update your vCenter server first, then Update Manager, and then you can use UM to update the ESXi hosts. I

Yes, first step is always venter with all components (VUM, converter, etc) and after vCenter upgrade you can do ESXi upgrade via VUM

If this is correct, how do I do a fresh install of vCenter without losing all of my configurations? I kicked off the install program and it does ask me which database I want to install to (i.e. the included SQL 2005 Express or an existing DB). If I point it to the DSN for my existing DB, will it overwrite the DB or will it just install the update and leave the DB in place?

No, it wil not overwrite a DB, it will ask if you wanna upgrade current DB or not

I'm guessing that the same question would be relevant to the UM update as well.

yes

Side notes...I've cloned both my vCenter App Server VM and the vCenter DB Server VM, though I'd prefer not to clobber my primaries. I'm on an isolated network, so I don't have access to the VMware patch repositories. And, I can't jump to vSphere 5. Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Do you wanna perform upgrade on isolated VM's and move them later to PROD ? I suggest to clone vCenter VM and DB VM first and do upgrade on PROD servers not on cloned.

Good Luck

VCDX77 My blog - http://vmwaremine.com
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jeffgetz
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Thanks Artur,

That's what I needed to confirm. I was pretty sure that was the way to do it, but I just needed a sanity check. I followed the guide you mentioned, and while some of the steps were a little different, the overall process was the same. I was able to get everything upgraded just fine.

Thanks again for your help!

Jeff

(points awarded)

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