install vCenter 5.1 on same system with (inactive) 5.0.0?

[Whaler]

We are now running vCenter 5.0.0 on a Windows 2008 box, and use an Oracle database on the back end.

Rather than upgrade to vCenter 5.1, can I shut down the 5.0, and just install 5.1 fresh?  My thinking is that I could always roll-back to the 5.0 installation, and that a fresh install might get the Web interface running  (which never worked under 5.0).

Thanks for any advice....Lyle

[julienvarela]

Hi Lyle,

It is true if you are not using the Same DB. Because if you are installing a fresh 5.1 using the same DB, a rollback to your old vCenter with this DB should not work after an upgrade of it.

But if you are using a new DB too, you will loose all your vCenter's parameters.

So my guess, the best way, is this step :

- Shutdown all your vCenter Services

- Backup your DB

- Backup your vCenter

- Start all your vCenter Service

- Upgrade the vCenter.

But in case of failure, you should be able to rollback and you will preserve all your configuration.

Regards,

Julien.