Upgrading VC database means?

[MrVmware9423]

Dear team,

I m upgrading my VC , while upgrading i got below screen. What does it means ... it will upgrade my SQL2k8 to sql2012??

regards

Mr VMware

[vNEX]

Hello,

it will just upgrade vCenter database schema to the new vCenter release you are installing....

If you choose the second option VCDB schema remains the same i.e. intact.

Message was edited by: vNEX

As an reaction to the vickyvision2020 post below: by choosing  "Do not upgrade existing vCenter Server database " you simply canceling whole upgrade process and perform vCenter upgrade rollback. (If you choose it "Next" button will be grayed out and your only option will be to "Cancel" the installation) These options are purely control mechanisms (or some kind of reminder) which should prevent an admin to continue with upgrade without having full database (and SSL certs) backup.... So the wizard doesnt allow you to continue if you choose second option ... it doesnt make any sense to have an old VCDB schema together with the new release binaries because the features/fixes changes are projected directly to the VCDB also ...

[vThinkBeyondVM · Accepted solution]

Let me share my views on this:

1. If you choose first option: It will upgrade DB schema which will be compatible with new vCenter you are upgrading to. It is not 2008 r2 to 2012. Database server version remains same. Just schema will change.

     What is DB schema:A database schema is a way to logically group objects such as tables, views, stored procedures etc.

Ex. Say you are on vCenter 5.1 , Now DB schema will have logical group of objects such as tables, views etc. Later when new version of vCenter comes up (say 5.5), due to new feature addition to vCenter, existing DB schema(ie. tables, views) need to be changed. In that case, you have to upgrade the DB schema. This mostly happens when you are going for major upgrade ie. From 5.1 to 5.5. Usually for minor versions schema will be same (there can be exceptions), hence for minor versions i.e. 5.5 GA to 5.5U1, most likely DB schema would be same, in this case, you can choose second option.

2. If you choose first option and if upgrade fails & if there is no backup, how will you roll back. hence DB backup need to take.

3. If we choose 2nd option and if new vCenter DB schema is not compatible with existing DB schema, you may come across issues.

Choose wisely.