Moving from Win vCenter 5.5 to new appliance vCenter 6.0

[PeteDk]

Hi,

We are currently running vCenter 5.5 on a Windows Server that has been upgraded several times. That is why we want to start a fresh installation of 6.0 as an appliance (linux).

Do any of you have any recommendations on getting from one to the other? Can we use Enhanced Linked Mode to sync configuration from the old to the new, so we don't have to build it from scratch?

Best Regards
Pete

[vNEX]

Hello Pete,

however direct migration from Windows vCenter Server to VCSA is not supported there is a fling available on VMware Labs.

VCS to VCVA Converter – VMware Labs

Take note that it is an experimental tool so use it carefully on production systems:

VCS to VCVA Converter – TERMS

The steps should be in following order:

1. convert VCS 5.5 to VCSA 5.5

2. upgrade VCSA to 6.0

Regarding SSO transition above steps will end with internal PSC.

With use of external PSC you can have a mixed environment (only) during time of transition ...

Mixed-Version Transitional Environments in vCenter Server for Windows Upgrades

[npadmani]

Can we use Enhanced Linked Mode to sync configuration from the old to the new, so we don't have to build it from scratch?

No, that cannot be done.

Do any of you have any recommendations on getting from one to the other?

I understan that you want it to be brand new vCenter server instead of upgrade, but If existing setup is not facing too much of trouble, then I would recommend first migrating your windows based vc 5.5 to an appliance. using a fling (unsupported) on following URL

VCS to VCVA Converter – VMware Labs‌

Note: this will work in case of your VC is simple install (all the VC services are in a single box) + external SQL Server database.

once you get working copy of VCSA 5.5, there's a direct way to upgrade it to VCSA 6.0

see if this suites you.