Upgrade ESXi installed on a SD drive.

[soctic]

Hello all,

I have a vSphere Essentials 5.1 installed on a SD card, and all the VMs in the internal storage of the server. I want to purchase new license for 6.5 version. Because of versions distance, I prefer to do a fresh install not an upgrade. Which is the correct procedure to do it?

Can I simply format SD, install VMware on it, and attach the internal datastore to see all my VMs?

Thanks!

[IT_pilot]

Check the compatibility of the equipment first. Otherwise, the store can not be seen

[soctic]

Yes, it’s still compatible with latest version.

Then, it will work what I’m saying?

[IT_pilot]

It should works. But you can:

1. Make a backup of virtual machines with free programs (Veeam).

2. First upgrade to version 6.5. If everything is ok, you can make a clean installation. If not - then roll back (Shift + R)

Also keep in mind that in version 6.5. there is a new version of vmfs - 6, which automatically makes UNMAP (thin-disk compression). Very useful function. But vmfs is not updated, - you need to delete the storage and create anew.

You can of course leave the old version of vmfs if you do not use thin disks.

[soctic]

I tried once to upgrade to 6.0 and gave me error, that's why I want to do a fresh install.

The VMFS won't be updated? If I delete the storage I will lose all my VM? I don't understand this part.

Thanks!

[daphnissov]

If you got an error when upgrading, you need to first check the compatibility of your hardware against the HCL. If you're coming from 5.1, there's a chance your hardware isn't suitable to run on 6.x.

[soctic]

I don’t remember the error but ir wasn’t related to hardware because is compatible (Dell R420).

[IT_pilot]

"The VMFS won't be updated? If I delete the storage I will lose all my VM? I don't understand this part." -

You want to simply connect the storage after the update, so I also warn you that in this case you will lose the useful function of UNMAP. If you want to upgrade the vmfs, you will need to evacuate the VMs anyway. And in this case, your fears about losing VM after the upgrade lose their meaning.

[soctic]

IT_pilot, can you confirm if this procedure would be the correct?

1) Backup VM (of course)

2) Export to another datastore, for example a NFS datastore of a Synology NAS that we have.

3) Delete the local datastore

4) Fresh install of 6.5 on SD card --> in this step the VMFS 6 installs automatically?

5) Attach the local datastore

6) Move again the VM from the NFS to the local datastore

7) Install vCenter as virtual appliance

😎 Enjoy!

[IT_pilot]

If you have another datastore, then you can use a different path.

Get and install trial licenses ESXi, and, possibly, vCenter.

Then just use vMotion and Storage Motion.

After the upgrade, return your vSphere Essentials licenses.

VMFS 6 not installs automatically. There is a choice of 5 or 6.

[soctic]

Impossible, we only have Essentials version, not Essentials Plus... :smileycry:

[IT_pilot]

I forgot to ask - how do you have vCenter installed? On a physical server or on ESXi?

[soctic]

Currently we don't have vCenter. I have inherited this scenario from the last IT company and I want to start from the beginning (fresh install, vCenter as a virtual appliance, etc..)

[IT_pilot]

And you have only one host?

[soctic]

Yes, 1 host

[IT_pilot]

Then I do not understand why you need a license at all? You can give more information about the planned configuration.

[soctic]

Because this company reports to a French company and is mandatory to have VMware support.

Also, It would be OK to have Update Manager. I have so much customers and I need a easy way to update, I don't have too much time to update through CLI or whatever.

[IT_pilot]

French company ...

This could be the reason.

You can perform a test update in this order.

1. Backup VM.

2. Fresh install of 6.5 on SD card (with a trial license).

3. Add NFS Datastore.

4. Install vCenter as virtual appliance (with a trial license) on the NFS Datastore

5. Register a VM. You can even turn them on.

6. Move the VMs from the local datastore to the NFS.

7. Rebuild vmfs.

8. Move again the VM from the NFS to the local datastore. And vCenter too.

9. Deactivate NFS Datastore.

10. Install licenses Essentials.

11. Configure the update. Update the version of hardware, tools.

12. Enjoy!

[soctic]

Wow thank you so much for your help!

I'll tell you the results!

[RAJ_RAJ]

HI ,

1.you have to check your server is supported for vSphere 6.5  or not .

2. Second If you have existing License you may upgrade that .

3. Backup your all VMs before doing this activity

4. You can Perform upgrade or new installation after completing above .