Virtual Machine Hardware Update Issue

[bweatherl]

We recently upgraded our infrastructure vSphere. We have successfully upgraded the VMware tools and Hardware version to 7 on all our servers, except one. The vCenter server is physical, but the SQL server hosting the vCenter and Update Manager databases is a VM. I was able to successfully update tools on the SQL, but when I try to update the hardware it fails.

Everytime vCenter shutsdown the SQL server to update the hardware it looses connection to the database, which causes the Hardware upgrade to fail.

I would imagine that this is a fairly common issue, but I haven't been able to find a resolution for it. Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks

[Chuck8773]

Connect your vsphere client directly to the host that the VM is currently on. That host will allow you to shut the VM down and upgrade the hardware. vCenter will shut down, but that isn't being used if you connect directly to the host.

I would shut vCenter down prior just so it shuts down cleanly though.

Charles Killmer, VCP

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[Troy_Clavell]

using the vSphere Client, log into the ESX Host the the SQL guest is registered on. Upgrade the hardware that way.

[bweatherl]

The problem I am running into is when you connect to the ESX host direclty you don't have any features of the Update Manger. Update Manager is part of vCenter, so when I'm connected to the ESX host I can't upgrade the hardware.

Is there another way to upgrade the hardware that doesn't require Update Manager?

[Troy_Clavell]

upgrade the hardware with the VM off, right click on it and choose upgrade virtual hardware.

[bweatherl]

Can you upgrade the hardware on a VM if you are logged directly into the ESX host? (I checked, but didn't see it anywhere)

If I turn off the SQL server (that hosts the vCenter DB) then I can't log into vCenter to tell the VM to update it's hardware.

[Troy_Clavell · Accepted solution]

Can you upgrade the hardware on a VM if you are logged directly into the ESX host? (I checked, but didn't see it anywhere)

yes, see my earlier post. The VM must be powered off. Then right click on it and 'upgrade virtual hardware'

If I turn off the SQL server (that hosts the vCenter DB) then I can't log into vCenter to tell the VM to update it's hardware.

you will have to shutdown your vCenter Server Service, then power down your SQL VM by logging directly into the ESX Host in which it's registered on.