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xingchan
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upgrade from vcenter 5.5 to 6.0 error: unsupported database driver

When I try to upgrade vCenter from 5.5 to 6.0 I get error:

Error: unsupported database driver

c:\Windows\system32\sqlncli.dll

Resolution: verify you're using vCenter Server with supported driver

vCenter was using SQL SAerver 2005 Express. I tried upgrading SQL Server to 2008R2 Express, but the error is the same

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brunofernandez1
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what about the ODBC Drivers?

Are those actually supported?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you found this or any other answer helpful, please consider to award points. (use Correct or Helpful buttons) Regards from Switzerland, B. Fernandez http://vpxa.info/

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brunofernandez1
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what about the ODBC Drivers?

Are those actually supported?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you found this or any other answer helpful, please consider to award points. (use Correct or Helpful buttons) Regards from Switzerland, B. Fernandez http://vpxa.info/
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xingchan
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I had to recreate the system dsn with the new sql client

all2surreal
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I have this same problem.  I'm trying to upgrade now and got the same error.  So, what steps did you take to recreate your System DSN?

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all2surreal
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I'm still having this issue.  Does anyone know the steps to fix it?  Thanks.

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all2surreal
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I just logged a support case with VMware about this.  I'll keep everyone updated.  I still can't upgrade due to this error.

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xingchan
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My problem was that my SQL Server version was 2005. I had to ugrade my SQL version to a supported version (2008 or higher). After I upgraded the SQL Server, I deleted the old System DSN in ODBC Data Source Administrator. and recreated the system DSN where you can choose the driver. Make sure you choose the latest SQL Server Native Client.

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all2surreal
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Xingchan - are you using the embedded version of SQL that came with vCenter Server or are you using your own separate SQL server?

I'm using the embedded version that came with version 5.5 which looks like it is SQL Server 2008 R2 (when I look at installed programs in Control Panel). 

I will mention that this vCenter Server was an initial install of version 4.0 and then I upgraded it to 5.5 a year ago.

I wouldn't know how to upgrade an embedded version of SQL Server unless someone can provide me a procedure.

Thanks!

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xingchan
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Install the SQL management tool and you can see the SQL version you are using. To upgrade the embedded SQL, download the SQL express edition from Microsoft. You probably need the 32bits version. Start the setup en follow the wizard.

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all2surreal
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I have the correct version of SQL Server (2008 R2) installed but I've now figured out that I am not using the latest version of the ODBC driver.  I believe I should be on the SQL Server Native Client 10.0 for my System DSN.  Currently, my System DSN shows that I'm on SQL Server Native Client.  What steps do you have to do to create the new driver with the latest client and to make sure vCenter uses that driver?

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all2surreal
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Alright I just got off the phone with VMware support.  The support representative was able to WebEx onto my server and fix the problem.  First he removed the old System DSN for VMware vCenter Server from the ODBC connections and then created the new one with the SQL Server Native Client 10.0. Lastly, he updated the registry to reflect the new System DSN.  He did download and install Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 RTM - Management Studio Express.  Although, he didn't use that to do anything but verify what version of SQL I was currently running for the VMware database.  Turns out I was running SQL 2005 which he said wasn't supported.  Anyhow, after all that we tried to run the 6.0 update and everything worked.

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VirtuallyMikeB
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Googling the attached error brought me to this thread and I'm posting my solution here, as well.  I was upgrading vCenter from 5.5U2 to 6.0U1.

Someone had connected to the vCenter database with the "ODBC Driver 11 for SQL Server."  This was the wrong ODBC driver.  I didn't know you could connect to the vCenter database with the wrong driver.  This article (VMware KB: Upgrading vCenter Server fails with the error: DSN is pointing to an unsupported ODBC dri...‌led me to the solution.  For SQL Server 2014, I downloaded and installed the SQL Server 2012 Native Client (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=239648&clcid=0x409) and rebuilt the ODBC connection.  The upgrade succeeded after this.

----------------------------------------- Please consider marking this answer "correct" or "helpful" if you found it useful (you'll get points too). Mike Brown VMware, Cisco Data Center, and NetApp dude Sr. Systems Engineer michael.b.brown3@gmail.com Twitter: @VirtuallyMikeB Blog: http://VirtuallyMikeBrown.com LinkedIn: http://LinkedIn.com/in/michaelbbrown
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cszone
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I had problem with c:\Windows\system32\msodbcsql11.dll , I unistall sql native 11 dirve and install sql native drive 10 after that I had completed sucsesfully upgrade my vcenter 6 from vcenter 5.5

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