ESXi 5.0 -> 5.1 patch upgrade update howto?

[prinz3noll3]

Hello,

how can i update my ESXi 5.0 Server (free license) to ESXi 5.1

Sorry i ve found no patch either an step by step manual.

Do you prefer the update to 5.1 or keep waiting until the first patches available?

Where can i see the difference between 5.1 and 5.0

thx a lot

greetings

[mcasekar]

Check on the below link.

http://pubs.vmware.com/vsphere-51/index.jsp?topic=%2Fcom.vmware.vsphere.upgrade.doc%2FGUID-A4301ADA-...

[karthickvm]

Hi Prinz,

First of all ESX 5.1 is not a patch, it is a major release.

To Upgrade to ESX 5.1 , first you need to upgrade your ESXi5.0 to ESXi 5.0 U1.

For the upgrade path, please look at the product interoperability matrix : http://partnerweb.vmware.com/comp_guide2/sim/interop_matrix.php?

Check if your hardware supports ESXi 5.1 : www.vmware.com/go/hcl.

There are number of changes made in vSphere 5.1, you ca see the diference in release notes:

https://www.vmware.com/support/vsphere5/doc/vsphere-esx-vcenter-server-51-release-notes.html

You can find the difference in "What is the new in vSphere 5.1."

http://www.vmware.com/files/pdf/products/vsphere/vmware-what-is-new-vsphere51.pdf

http://blogs.vmware.com/vsphere/2012/09/whats-new-in-vsphere-5-1-networking.html

Methods of upgrading to ESXi 5.1 : http://kb.vmware.com/kb/2032757

Installing or upgrading to ESXi 5.1 best practices : http://kb.vmware.com/kb/2032756

I hope this answers your questions.

[prinz3noll3]

Hello,

thanks for your great answer.

i ve installed 5.0.0 768111 so it should be 5.0 U1.

My hardware is supported by ESXi 5.1 Dell Poweredge T310.

i ve read the links, so i can upgrade with an iso cd, right?

[quote]

Upgrade interactively using an ESXi installer ISO image on CD-ROM, DVD, or USB flash drive. You can run the ESXi 5.1 installer from a CD-ROM, DVD, or USB flash drive to do an interactive upgrade. This method is appropriate for a small number of hosts.

[/quote]

Is the upgrade to 5.1 recommended, or never touch a running system?

Guest OS are Windows Server 2003 and SBS2011.

Thanks again for your answer.

Greetings

[karthickvm]

Thanks for your response on this, there are numerous new feature added in the ESXi 5.1 so it is up to you to decide to proceed with upgrade.

Either you can use Update Manager to upgrade or use CD-ROM to upgrade up to your convenience .

If you have more than one host,

1. Evacuate one host(Migrate all VMS) and put host into maintenance mode(so that no VMs will migrate back)
   
2. Insert the ESXi 5.1 dvd
   
3. Boot to CD
   
4. Proceed with the upgrade
   

Hope this helps.