Upgrading from Update 2 to Update 4

[samuk]

Hi,

I have 3 ESX Server servers in a cluster, and Vcenter 4.

The ESX Hosts are running Update 2.

I want to upgrade the ESX and Vcenter to Update 4.

Is this the process:

Update each host to update 4 - using the cd

update the vcenter to update 4

Thanks in advance.

[MauroBonder]

First update your virtual center to manage all.

After upgrade vcenter, upgrade all hosts and re-add to vcenter if necessary.

If you upgrade hosts vmware frist you cannot manage with vcenter in version update2.

Good luck

[Sreejesh_D]

refer the Example Upgrade scenarios in the upgrade guide and choose the appropriate one.

http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40_u1/vsp_40_u1_upgrade_guide.pdf

The following is the simplified sequence of a vSphere upgrade.

1. Upgrade vCenter server.

2. Upgrade Host.

3. Upgrade VM hardware.

4. Upgrade VMware tools.

[MauroBonder · Accepted solution]

Sreejesh wrote:

refer the Example Upgrade scenarios in the upgrade guide and choose the appropriate one.

http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40_u1/vsp_40_u1_upgrade_guide.pdf

The following is the simplified sequence of a vSphere upgrade.

1. Upgrade vCenter server.

2. Upgrade Host.

3. Upgrade VM hardware.

4. Upgrade VMware tools.

step by step wrong -

the correct is

1. Upgrade vCenter server.

2. Upgrade Host.

3. Upgrade VMare Tools    

4. Upgrade Hardware Virtual

BUT

upgrading from update 2 to 4 dont have changes in Hardware Virtual, only VMware Tools

[Sreejesh_D]

its only recommended for the Windows VMs due to the NIC driver issue. for other vms VM hardware upgrade prior to Tools upgrade works fine.

[Sreejesh_D]

thanks for pointing out, we have to take care of this if its a windows VM.

[samuk]

thanks all, glad i asked before upgrading!

[MauroBonder]

Only to share informatin

Upgrading a virtual machine to the latest hardware version

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=101067...

Before you upgrade the virtual hardware:

2. Create a backup or snapshot of the virtual machine. See the Virtual Machine Administration Guide.
   
3. Upgrade VMware Tools. On Microsoft Windows virtual machines, if you upgrade the virtual hardware before you upgrade VMware Tools, the virtual machine might lose its network settings.
   
4. Verify that all .vmdk files are available to the ESX/ESXi host on a VMFS3, VMFS5, or NFS datastore.
   
5. Verify that the virtual machines are stored on VMFS3, VMFS5 or NFS datastores.
   
6. Determine the version of the virtual hardware by selecting the virtual machine from the vSphere Client or vSphere Web Client and clicking the Summary tab. The VM Version label displays the virtual hardware version.
   

Upgrading virtual hardware on a single virtual machine

To upgrade the virtual hardware of a single virtual machine:

1. Start the vSphere Client or vSphere Web Client and log in to the vCenter Server.
   
2. Power off the virtual machine.
   
3. Right-click the virtual machine and select the menu option to upgrade virtual hardware.
   • In vSphere Client, the option is Upgrade Virtual Hardware.
     
   • In vSphere Web Client, the option is Configuration > Upgrade Virtual Hardware
     
     The software upgrades the virtual hardware to the latest supported version.
     
     Note: The Upgrade Virtual Hardware option appears if the virtual hardware on the virtual machine is not the latest supported version.
     
     
     
4. Click Yes to continue with the virtual hardware upgrade.
   
5. Power on the virtual machine.