We currently have VMware ESXi, 5.1.0, 799733 with 3 BL480c G1 blades as hosts. I have 3 new BL660 Gen8 servers sitting in my office and am planning to begin our host upgrade this weekend.
Our intention is to put 1 existing host into maintenance mode and then remove it from the cluster and the Blade chassis. I'll then plug in the new server, configure the NICs and HBAs to be identical to the old, install the HP version of VMware ESXi giving the new server the identical name and IP address as the old host. I will then add it to the cluster, present and configure the storage and allow HA to move VMs onto the host.
I know I'll have to maintain the base (Merom) level of EVC until I get all 3 hosts replaced.
I haven't found any specific documentation on replacing host machines so I'm curious if this sounds like a doable plan.
Just create new cluster and migrate all the load.
If you can do it with powering VMs off then you don't need even to worry about EVC.
Just create new cluster and migrate all the load.
If you can do it with powering VMs off then you don't need even to worry about EVC.
Do you have any space problem in your BladeCenter ? If so, maybe you can add only one ESXi in it and migrate all the load on this one. Just create a new cluster with one new host, migrate all the load from your old cluster to the new one, remove your older hosts from vCenter and BladeCenter, plug in your 2 new hosts and add them to the new cluster.
I do think that, even if your current hosts are overloaded, 1x BL660c G8 can easily handle the load of 3 BL460c G1.
These operation will not take long to do and will not let your VM out of HA too much time.
Hope it helps.
Thanks Anton, that sounds a little more logical.