Upgrading from VC 2.5 to latest ?

[KNardi]

We are currently running VC 2.5.x and want to move to 2.5 update 4.

Which is the best practice? Should we save the database, uninstall then re-install

or upgrade?

What have most of you done?

Thanks in advance for your advice

[Troy_Clavell]

vSphere vCenter4 is the latest. If you want to upgrade, the best thing to do is follow the upgrade guide.

http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_upgrade_guide.pdf

If you want to retain all your vCenter information such as Clusters, resources pools, permissions, you need to "use existing DB"

If you are going to 2.5.0U4, same principles apply for the upgrade, but a different upgrade guide

http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_35/esx_3/r35u2/vi3_35_25_u2_upgrade_guide.pdf

[lamw]

Definitely make a backup of your VCDB before you begin, you don't need to reinstall else you'll lose all your settings such as datacenters, resource pools, folders, etc. You'll be able to do an inline upgrade once you've done your backup, stop the vCenter service and go through the installation and make sure you setup the proper permission for the account to have db_owner role to run through the upgrade.

Take a look at the release notes for vCenter 2.5u4 and any gotchas that may affect your environment: http://www.vmware.com/support/vi3/doc/vi3_vc25u4_rel_notes.html and definitely take a look at the upgrade document which will provide the best practice: http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_35/esx_3/r35u2/vi3_35_25_u2_upgrade_guide.pdf

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William Lam

VMware vExpert 2009

VMware ESX/ESXi scripts and resources at:

VMware Code Central - Scripts/Sample code for Developers and Administrators

If you find this information useful, please award points for "correct" or "helpful".

[admin]

While taking a backup of your database is advised as said earlier, definitely want to leave the database running DURING the upgrade. This is a common mistake which causes all kinds of problems.

Almost every upgrade does a schema update to the database as well. It can't do this if it is not running!

[KNardi]

Are there any issues with running VC VSPHERE4 with ESX 3.5update 4?

[Troy_Clavell]

Are there any issues with running VC VSPHERE4 with ESX 3.5update 4?

no, vCenter4 can manage both. Just make sure you keep your license server in tact if you have 3.5 hosts being managed.

[lamw]

There are no issues, vSphere vCenter 4.0 can manage previous version of ESX(i) 3.5.uX systems, you'll just need to pay for the upgrade and take a look at pricing/licensing.

=========================================================================

William Lam

VMware vExpert 2009

VMware ESX/ESXi scripts and resources at:

VMware Code Central - Scripts/Sample code for Developers and Administrators

If you find this information useful, please award points for "correct" or "helpful".

[KNardi]

Ok...our license 3.5 server is our VC server for ESX 3.5x servers

[Troy_Clavell]

that is not a problem. You need the license server until you fully roll off VI3

[AndreTheGiant]

Are there any issues with running VC VSPHERE4 with ESX 3.5update 4?

Only if you use other software, like VMware View (Composer is not yet compatible), SRM, ...

Also you need to install the old license server to provide the old license to your ESX 3.5.

Andre

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[KNardi]

So should I just upgrade to VC Update 4 (2.5 update 4)?

[AndreTheGiant]

So should I just upgrade to VC Update 4 (2.5 update 4)?

Are you using Composer or SRM or other 3th part software integrated in VC?

If no, you can may to start with VC4.

Andre

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[KNardi]

Only Data protector and VCB... if that makes a difference

[AndreTheGiant]

For VCB there a new subversion.

Andre

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[KNardi]

Ok thanks!!

[AndreTheGiant]

You're welcome.

Andre