Upgrade steps from esxi 4.1 to 4.1 update 1

[trink408]

I've been reading through some documentation posted by vmware, but it gets rather cumbersome trying to find a document that lays out the upgrade path directly.

I'm looking to just upgrade from esxi 4.1 to update 1.

Do I need new licenses?

I'm thinking I have to first update my vcenter. Will my existing database still work, SQL express 2005?

After that, I'm not sure what the best path is to actually update the hosts. Should I use the VUM to accomplish this, or the host update utility?

If someone could provide the steps to best perform this update I would appreciate it.

Thanks

Kevin

[a_p_]

Do I need new licenses?

No the licenses remain the same,

I'm thinking I have to first update my vcenter. Will my existing database still work, SQL express 2005?

Even though upgrading vCenter prior to the hosts is a best practice and necessary in most cases, ESXi 4.1 U1 will work with any vCenter Server 4.1 version. see http://partnerweb.vmware.com/comp_guide2/sim/interop_matrix.php

After  that, I'm not sure what the best path is to actually update the hosts.  Should I use the VUM to accomplish this, or the host update utility?

In a vCenter Server environment, Update Manager is the preferred method to update the hosts. As an alternative you could use the command line toll vihostupdate. The Host Update Utility is NOT supported with version 4.1.

André

[trink408]

Thanks for the response.

I'm guessing I do need to update the VUM to 4.1 update 1 before doing the update1 on the hosts? I thought I read somewhere that update1 will fail otherwise if the update manager is still at version 4.1?

I would also imagine it's best that I upgrade vcenter at some point, even if it's not required initially?

My last thought is if it makes more sense to go directly to update2, not sure if thats even a direct update path from 4.1?

[a_p_ · Accepted solution]

I'm guessing I do need to update the VUM to 4.1 update 1 before doing  the update1 on the hosts? I thought I read somewhere that update1 will  fail otherwise if the update manager is still at version 4.1?

I'm not sure about this. You may be right though!?

I would also imagine it's best that I upgrade vcenter at some point, even if it's not required initially?

Agreed.

My last thought is if it makes more sense to go directly to update2, not sure if thats even a direct update path from 4.1?

Yes this is supported for vCenter Server as well as the hosts.

from http://www.vmware.com/support/vsphere4/doc/vsp_vc41_u2_rel_notes.html

You can upgrade from VirtualCenter 2.5  Update 6,  vCenter Server 4.0,   vCenter Server 4.0 Update 1, vCenter Server 4.0 Update 2,  vCenter  Server 4.0 Update 3,  vCenter Server 4.1, and vCenter Server 4.1 Update 1  to vCenter Server 4.1 Update 2.

The host update package can be downloaded from http://www.vmware.com/patchmgr/download.portal (or directly: Download)

Regarding your question about the database, SQL Express 2005 is still supported with Update 2 (see http://partnerweb.vmware.com/comp_guide2/sim/interop_matrix.php)

André

[trink408]

Thanks for the help Andre.

Would you recommend going to update2 right away over update1?

Kevin

[a_p_]

I didn't install (or upgrade) Update 2 anywhere myself yet. However, it was released two months ago so I think it's safe to go with it. Just make sure you double check the hardware compatibility in case something - related to the hardware you use - changed.

André

[cjscol]

I upgraded about 20 esxi 4.1 hosts to 4.1 update 2 missing out update 1 earlier this month using VMware Update Manager.  I think Update Manager was 4.1, not 4.1 update 1 (it definately was not update 2).

I did have a minor problem with some a few number of the hosts saying that they still had some patches missng but were showing the correct build number for esxi 4.1 update 2.  I sorted this out by just upating the VMware Tools package on these hosts, have a look at http://communities.vmware.com/message/1872434#1872434

The only other "issue" I encountered was that update 2 checks to see if you have a scratch area defined.  Have a look at http://communities.vmware.com/message/1877935#1877935