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jb3vi
Contributor
Contributor

upgrade from 5.5 changing vcenter s.o. and host

I've a vsphere 5.5 version with a vcenter on Windows 2008 with a Sql Server Express. Now I bought new hardware and I want change it and upgrade to versione 6 and change the s.o. of vcenter to win 2012.

Which are the best step?

If I first upgrade the vcenter I must upgrade soon the host to 6?  or for a period I can use the new vcenter with host on version 5.5.

Thanks

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vHaridas
Expert
Expert

On new Server/Hardware install ESXi 6.x

Install Windows 2012 and Install vCenter 6.x with Embedded PSC.

Disconnect ESXi 5 Host from vCenter 5.5 and add disconnected Host to vCenter 6.x ( before disconnecting Host from vCenter or Cluster, disable HA if you are using it )

Instead of Windows based vCenter 6.x, I would suggest you to try vCenter Appliance 6.x

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johnw230873
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

You can stay running on esxi 5.5 if you want but you will miss out on some features.

I also would be asking the question is it the right time to move to a VCSA, right now my understanding is that update manager still requires a Windows server but in the new version of the vcsa it MIGHT be included.

If you go for the Windows path you can always migrate live later (as long as you are running esxi 6) to a VCSA so no lost there.

Here is the upgrade order VMware KB: Update sequence for vSphere 6.0 and its compatible VMware products

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NavalgundRaj
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Best to go with all new vcenter with its own database.

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