how to upgrade vc

[tdubb123]

how do I upgrade from 2.1 vc to 2.5 u1?

[azn2kew]

I've done it last week its very straight process.

1. Download VC 2.5 Update 1

2. Backup your current database

3. Run the .exe installation and follow the screen

4. Make sure to choose keep performance data and event/tasks as well otherwise you will lose them all

5. Select Update Manager if you want it for ESX/guests patch management. Requires new database created for it. Then create OBDC connections with SQL Native Client if running SQL 2005.

6. Just go through the steps and its fine and then download new version of VI client and connect to VC server.

FYI: VC 2.5 Update 1 can run both ESX 3.0.x and ESX 3.5 as well. It is recommended to upgrade all ESX hosts to 3.5 Update 1 as much as possible to maximize performance and VMware tools usage.

If you found this information useful, please consider awarding points for "Correct" or "Helpful". Thanks!!!

Regards,

Stefan Nguyen

iGeek Systems Inc.

VMware, Citrix, Microsoft Consultant

[Troy_Clavell]

....also, don't forget DB permissions

http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1003052

[tdubb123]

Afer installing vc 2.5u1, vc service fails to start. any idea?

[Troy_Clavell]

you are using the SQL native driver for ODBC, and it tested successfully?

[tdubb123]

would the failure of vc service starting be caused by that? what ele could be the cause of this?

[Troy_Clavell]

yes, that could cause it... if you can't see your DB server, than the service won't start. Did you confirm you ODBC connections using the SQL Native Driver?

[tdubb123]

how do I check this?

[Troy_Clavell]

http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_35/esx_3/r35/vi3_35_25_installation_guide.pdf

start on page 68

[java_cat33]

Within ODBC, select System DSN tab. There you should see your System Datasource for Virtual Center (what you would have created before installing Virtual Center). Next to the DSN it displays the driver used - this is where it should be saying SQL Native Client - if it doesn't, you need to change it. If you don't have it available as an option to select, download and install it. Then make sure you change your DSN (you might need to re-create it), so it's using the correct driver.

[tdubb123]

i checked and it is using native sql drivers. any other ideas?

[Troy_Clavell]

have you checked with your DBA to ensure that there is plenty of disk space allocated to your DB? I had an issue where we maxed out disk space with our logs, and our VCMS service wouldn't start.

Check event viewer as well, it may help you narrow down the problem

[tdubb123]

Event logs didn ot give much errors. We tried uninstalling vc and reinstalling. same issue. the database is actually on a different server.

not sure what else to try at this point

[Troy_Clavell]

so when you tested your ODBC connection it "tested successfully" using the SQL Native Driver? Other than what we have gone over, I am stumpted too.

Maybe you should open an SR with VMware and have them take a look at it.

[mike_laspina]

Hi,

Windows event logs will not help.

Look in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\VMware\VMware VirtualCenter\Logs

[tdubb123]

is there a different exe for upgrading vc and for new install of vc 2.5?

[kjb007]

The install file is the same. If you don't see errors in the logs, then you remote desktop or console into your vc server. Open a dos prompt, and cd into your vc install location. Run 'vpxd -s' for standalone mode. This will write to the dos window all errors that are encountered during startup. You could have an issue with your db user id password. The output should tell you. If you do, you can run 'vpxd -p' and input the password as requried. You should be able to start the service after that. If not, post the output.

-KjB