Attempting to upgrade from VCSA 6.5.0.14000 to 6.5 U2b fails

[stanj]

I am trying to update the VCSA from 6.5 to 6.5 U2b.

To begin, I took a snapshot of the current VCSA.

I uploaded the patch ISO (VMware-vCenter-Server-Appliance-6.5.0.21000-8815520-patch-FP) to the local ESXi Datastore and attached it to the VCSA CD.

I logged into the vCenter Appliance and attempted the update and it failed.

I reverted back the snapshot and tried again using the method of logging into the appliance and using the software-packages utility.

It looks good until the end and I see the following:

ISO unmounted successfully

Running test transaction

Running pre-install script

Al VMware services stopped

Upgrading software packages

Package update failed

Starting all services

Installation failed

I rebooted the VCSA but cannot login, get a 503 service unavailable

I reverted back to the snapshot and can login to the 6.5.41000 version of VCSA

Any ideas as to what I should try next for an attempted upgrade?

[msripada]

Can you share the software-packages.log from /var/log/vmware/applmgmt folder

Thanks,

MS

[RickVerstegen]

Tried updating from the online repository?

Also check if the /storage/log directory is full and see if there are any alerts triggered in the vCenter Server VAMI page.

[stanj]

I will check the logs and alerts

We don't have access out to the internet to got to the on-lie repo

[msripada · Accepted solution]

One thing I observed in most failure cases is that the cm service update fails due to root password. Expiry on the vcsa.. Reset root password on 6.5 and then try upgrade.. If fails, pls share the software packages log as suggested above..

ENSURE TO TAKE SNAPSHOT BEFORE UPGRADE

Thanks,

MS

[stanj]

in progress with a new root PW

also,,i did not see a software-packages.log the /var/log/vmware/applmgmt folder ?

i did a df via ssh to the VCSA and there is plenty of space

how do i tell if /storage/log directory is full?

[RickVerstegen]

SSH to VCSA and run df -h. You will get a list with folders. Check the available size of the /storage/log.

[stanj]

Changing the root password was the key (I hope).. !!

I changed the root PW it back when I first installed the VCSA...

Is this listed as requirement (reset PW before updating)?

After reboot, i noticed the CPU was pegged at 100% and could not login to vCenter.

It took a few minutes to load, but eventually I was able to login.

thanks for the tip on changing root PW.....

[msripada]

Glad to hear that the issue is resolved. Kindly close the thread if that issue is resolved..

Thanks,

MS

[horace_ng]

thanks, it took me 8 hrs to troubleshoot this with the dreadful GATEWAY 503 ERROR.