Upgrade and use Enhanced Linked Mode for two embedded vCenter 5 installs

[mirceasandu91]

Hello everyone,

I have a question. I would like to upgrade our vCenter 5.5 instances to 6.0 update1, and in the same time to start using Enhanced Linked Mode.

Currently we don't use Linked Mode in 5.5, but we would like to use it in 6.0.

The two vCenter running 5.5 are embedded installs (vCenter + SSO in the same VM).

I read VMware vCenter Server 6.0 Deployment Guide and I can't find anywhere a upgrade path for our scenario.

In my home lab I manage to install 2 PSCs between a CITRIX Netscaler and 2 vCenters connected to loadballancer and use Enhanced Linked Mode for vCenters but these where Initial Installs so no upgrade.

Have anyone an idea about this upgrade scenario?

Thank you,

Mircea

[Nithy07cs055]

You can use this architecture which is suggested by Vmware,

Based on your organization goals ,  you need to plan for the deployment ,  Please let me know how exactly you are planning for the linked mode , since 6.0 has PSC introduced, you need to design as per your requirements

Go through this link -- deployment guide https://www.vmware.com/files/pdf/techpaper/vmware-vcenter-server6-deployment-guide.pdf

check the 6.0 documentation on linked mode https://pubs.vmware.com/vsphere-60/index.jsp?topic=%2Fcom.vmware.vsphere.vcenterhost.doc%2FGUID-6ADB...

let me know if you require any help

[mirceasandu91]

This deployment model looks good, but I think we need to have already separated installs for vCenter and SSO. As I say we currently have 2 embedded installations. So 2 separate vCenters each with his own SSO installed in the same VM.

Here I need help. How to separate SSO from vCenters and use Enhanced Linked mode.

Thank you.

[greco827 · Accepted solution]

I had a similar situation, and while I found some ways to use Enhanced linked mode with embedded PSC's, it's not technically supported by VMware.

That being the case, I deployed two new External PSC's (two sites) and two VCSA's w/o the embedded PSC.  I joined them all to the same domain.

Once that was in place, I upgraded my previous VCSA's which had the embedded PSC's, to 6.0 U1, and used the new repoint option via CMSSO-UTIL to point the existing VCSA's to the same domain as the one I just created with the two new external PSC's.  I then was able to migrate everything to the two new vCenters.

http://emadyounis.com/vcenter/vcenter-server-appliance-vcsa-6-0-update-1-rundown/  (Info on CMSSO-UTIL command format near the bottom of the page).

It sounds like more work than it is, and the result is a nice clean environment, no down time to VM's, and two external PSC's which replicate, and two VCSA's which have enhnaced linked mode enabled.

If you go this route and run into any issues, let me know, I can try to help.