Update vCenter Server

[netwrkmgr]

In an enviroment with ESXi hosts and vCenter server, the ESXi 5.0 hosts were updated to update 2 a while ago. Everything is working fine, however, Server 2012 64 bit is not listed as an option when creating a VM in vCenter with the vSphere client. Research indicates thsat Update 2 is required for this, which is applied to the ESXi hosts. The vCenter server has not been updated and it is not feasable to go to U3 yet. The ISO has been downloaded for the vCenter Update2 with modules. What is the procedure for updating the vCenter server. The update can't be tested before hand and the hosts need to stay up, so just wnated to get a sence of how to update. Is the executable just run from the new ISO? Will the install function as a update or new install? Will the hosts need to go down? Many thanks in advance for any assistance.

[rcporto]

Which is the version of your vCenter Server ?

[netwrkmgr]

vCenter Server is 5.0.0 build 804276

[rcporto]

You're running vCenter Server 5.0 U1b and according with VMware KB 2061322, both hosts and vCenter must be Update 02.

To upgrade your vCenter, check the following KB article: VMware KB: Upgrading to vCenter Server 5.0 best practices

And don't worry.... your hosts and VMs with stay Online and you will loose only access to vCenter while upgrading and some features like DRS will be unavailable too, but VMs will continue running without problems.

[netwrkmgr]

Thanks for the response. I have a couple additional quesions.

1. vCenter Server is a virtual machine. Will this effect the enviroment as far as the host going down?

2. If we snapshot / full backup of the vCenter VM prior to the upgrade can it be rolled back / restored without issue, if necessary?

Thanks again for your assistance, it is greatly appreciated

[rcporto]

1. vCenter Server is a virtual machine. Will this effect the enviroment as far as the host going down?

To upgrade the host where vCenter VM is running, you will need migrate all VMs to another host and put the host in maintenance mode... this way your VM will stay online without problems. Of course to get this, you will need at least a cluster with two ESXi hosts.

2. If we snapshot / full backup of the vCenter VM prior to the upgrade can it be rolled back / restored without issue, if necessary?

Yes, is strictly recommended take a snapshot and backup your database before start the upgrade process.

[netwrkmgr]

Thanks again for the quick response. To clarify, the hosts are already patched to Update 2, it is just the vCenter Server VM that needs the update. Does this mean we can just run the ISO and upgrade vCenter inplace without moving VMs?

Thanks again, your assistance is greatly appreciated.

[rcporto · Accepted solution]

Yes, just run the vCenter media installer and when prompted about vCenter server database, select Upgrade existing vCenter Server database... your VMs will not be impacted and don't need to be moved to any other host.

You're welcome and don't forget to award points for helpful or correct answers.

[netwrkmgr]

Thanks again. Finally, if it discovered that it needs to be restored from a backup or reverted snapshot after a few days can that happen or does it need to be restored quickly?

I am trying to mark your reply(s) as correct and helpful, but it does not appear to be saving. Is there anything more that just clicking on Correct Answer?

[rcporto]

My recommendation will be restore more soon possible... otherwise you will loose changes since the upgrade... and if you discovery any problem many days after the upgrade, I will suggest you upgrade to a newer version, like Update 03.