Update process for vmware infrastructure from esx 3.5 u2 to U4

[Ravi1987]

Hi currently i m using ESx 3.5 Update 2 in my Vmware environment. now i want to upgrade it to esx 3.5 update 4 . current we are using 50 windows virtual machine with 2008 and 2003 operating system. i have update manager installed with VC server .

please tell me the process through withich i can update my whole inffrastructure with any down time or any error.

[AndreTheGiant]

If you have VMotion and DRS license, that you can simply:

• install VUM plugin

• attach a baseline to the cluster (at least critical updates)

• scan you cluster for update

• remediate the entire cluster or each single ESX (do one, wait when has finished, the do the second...)

Andre

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[Ravi1987]

Is there any specific process to update VC server also.

[AndreTheGiant]

Yes, first update VC and VUM.

Then update the ESX.

Remember also to update VCB to 1.5.

And if you are using guest quiescence script you have to change to new format (read the backup guide for more infos).

Andre

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[Ravi1987]

Thanks for reply.

please tell me the update process for VC.and any special patttern which i need to follow

[AndreTheGiant · Accepted solution]

please tell me the update process for VC.

I've do upgrade from 2.5U2 and U3 to U4, both with SQL Express or SQL Server without particular issue.

Just select the existing DB (instead of create a new one).

Sometime (with SQL Express) the very first time post reboot "Virtual Center Server" service doesn't not start, in this case just start it manually.

Andre

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[Ravi1987]

can u please share the steps to upgrdae process for VC server from VC u2 to VC u4

[dnetz]

Concerning the issue with the vCenter service not starting, it's usually because the SQL service isn't started yet so vCenter finds no database. This simple fix should help: http://www.yellow-bricks.com/2009/02/12/vcenter-and-sql-service-dependencies/

[AndreTheGiant]

http://communities.vmware.com/thread/198730

http://communities.vmware.com/thread/205173

[Ravi1987]

thanks for reply,

please tell me the best way to update esx ...like either by ESx installation cd or by Vmware update manager.

[Troy_Clavell]

VMware Update Manager will do what you are looking to do, and you can automate the process. You can create a static baseline and attach it to the cluster and scan for updates and then remediate against that. Using DRS, the VUM update will migrate all the VM's off the host, put the host into maintenance mode, patch the host, reboot, and exit maintenance mode. This process will continue until complete.

You can also do a rebuild, which is what I prefer.

Finally, remember to ensure you vCenter build is at U4 as well.

[Ravi1987]

Please tell me The rebuild prcess .and if i rebuild the process then what effect it can cause on VM's .

[AndreTheGiant]

Please tell me The rebuild prcess .and if i rebuild the process then what effect it can cause on VM's .

Rebuild is like to create a new host.

Put in maintenance mode one host, remove from cluster, and re-install all ESX with the same configuration.

Then re-add to cluster.

Andre

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[Troy_Clavell]

the rebuild process would be an install from scratch. It would have no impact on your VM's because you would have evacuated all your VM's off to other hosts in cluster. So, you migrate all the VM's, do a rebuild, add the host back into the cluster and continue the process.

One thing to consider if you do fresh install, it will be an empty ESX Host and post installation still needs to be done; such as networking, ntp...... etc.

The upgrade guide would be useful too

[Ravi1987]

When i rebuild the esx 3.5 u2 to U4 do we need to readd the virtual machines to host. my mean do they enter in orphand mode after upgrade

[Troy_Clavell]

How many Hosts do you have and is this local storage or shared? If only one, you can do the rebuild and retain the VMFS. The VM's may have to be "added to inventory"

If shared storage and more than 1 ESX Host, the VM's will continue to function as normal running other ESX Hosts in the cluster.

[Ravi1987]

can i have muliti version esx on same cluster with drs and ha enabled. because i have 5 esx on my cluster with 40 virtual machines .that means if i migrate my vm's from u2 to update four they have no Issues.

[Ravi1987]

I have all the Virtual machine on shared storage .

please validate my process

first step i will update vc to update 4 then one by one i will update ESX .is that right approach .becoz i will start this after some time .

[Troy_Clavell]

first step i will update vc to update 4 then one by one i will update ESX .is that right approach .becoz i will start this after some time .

At a high level, yes, great approach.

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[Ravi1987]

Now i have some change in approach as

first i will update vc then update ESX after one day. is that right.please tell me