First steps in upgrade from 5.5 to 6.5

[Process153]

Hi all,

Current plan to upgrade is:

ADDED---- I need to upgrade my current vcenter server first to 6.5 yeah?

New ESXi host to add to my current 4 in production.

Build this as 6.5 host

Create a vm on this host to act as my embedded PSC appliance with vCenter server also installed on this VM

Migrate VM's from host 1 to the new 6.5 esxi host.

Upgrade host 1 to 6.5

Migrate the vms back onto the newly upgraded host.

Do this for each old 5.5 host.

I have a DR site which is also 5.5 and will be migrated to 6.5 but I think I can do this after the production upgrade.

Is there anything you would change here?

Thanks for any replies!

[RAJ_RAJ]

Hi ,

You can upgrade your current vCenter to 6.5 VCSA  or you can  proceed with new vCenter 6.5  VCSA

Upgrde of ESXI 5.5 host to 6.5 through integrated VUM on VCSA 6.5  may fail in that case use 6.5 iso file to upgrade of existing hosts .

Also you have to upgrade to your licence from 5.5 to 6 .

[Process153]

Hi Raj,

Thanks for your comment!  I think I updated my post just as you replied   I don't have vcenter server installed as an appliance at the moment.  It sits on a windows server.  From what I read though, an appliance install would be better.

[PuliSukumar]

You can migrate your 5.5 Windows vCenter Server to vCSA 6.5

[RAJ_RAJ]

VCSA 6.5 supported migration from windows  VC to VCSA

run vcsa-ui-installer from where you have downloaded the new VCSA package

you must  follow the proper steps and check perquisite

Refer Below
https://pubs.vmware.com/vsphere-65/index.jsp

Important information before upgrading to vSphere 6.5 (2147548) | VMware KB

[Process153]

Many thanks for the help guys!  Can you comment on my proposed upgrade process? Specifically I'm wondering about the sequence i.e... new host then host one, host two etc. 

[RAJ_RAJ]

Hi ,

Please find the below

1.Deploy/Upgrade  6.5 VCSA with embedded PSC

2.Build ESXi 6.5 Host and add to vCenter

3.Configure vmotion and required port groups and test it is working .

4.Migrate the VMs from one of ESXi 5.5 host to esxi 6.5 host

5.Upgrade the 5.5 Esxi to 6.5 and test it is working fine

6.If working fine proceed steps 4-5 with other hosts

[Process153]

Thank you sir

[Lovejit1313]

Hello Raj,

Is it involved any money to upgrade from 5.5 to 6.5 v sphere.

Thanks,

Lovejit

[rajen450m]

As long as you have License portal access to upgrade your existing 5.5 license to 6.5v, there is no additional cost or money involved .

You need to apply 6.5 licenses post your successful upgrade. So refer to the below link to how to upgrade the licenses?

How to upgrade license keys in My VMware (2006974) | VMware KB

[hussainbte]

Just in case if you have anything else from vCenter and ESXi .. check the recommended upgrade sequence

http://kb.vmware.com/kb/2147289

[Datatekniker]

Hi,

Can I upgrade my license now and still continue to use my 5.5 license, until I upgrade v. 6.5 in a month or 2 ?

\Flemming