Multi Site Upgrade

[pmolina]

I've got an upgrade from ESX 3.5 to 4U1 this weekend. Two servers, two locations. At the main location I have vCenter installed and will upgrade that to the latest one first, then was going to upgrade ESX from there.

However, the second ESX is across a frame connection from vCenter. Is it ok to upgrade it from the main site, or should I do it from a remote controlled workstation at the second site?

[Troy_Clavell]

You are using VUM to upgrade your ESX Hosts? If so, you could stage your patches which may help cut down on any bandwidth issues.

[pmolina]

I want to use VUM, I understand it automates update of the vm's. My frame of reference is from using the vSphere Host Update Utility; after the host was updated each VM had to have tools updated followed by the vHardware. Tedious. I understand VMware Update Manager will automate all of that for me.

With vhuu, I just have the install .iso locally on the workstation. I assumed VUM worked the same. Are you saying that I can I put that .iso out at the remote site and specify where to find it for each of the two ESX updates?

[Troy_Clavell]

I haven't test a staged "upgrade", my apologies for not reading the thread properly. I'm trying to test it now but having problems uploading the .iso in VUM.

You'll have to download the ISO from

http://downloads.vmware.com/d/details/esx40u1_a/ZHcqYmRqampiZGUlaA==

....or as you said use the vSphere4 Host Upgrade Utility from a network where the ESX Host resides, which can be downloaded by the same link above. That may be your best option

[pmolina]

Thanks for the perspective Troy!

-Paul

[ealaqqad]

Hi Paul,

I am not sure how fast & reliable is your connection to your remote site. I have worked with bank who has successfully upgraded over 80 ESX servers using VMware Update Manager with over 40 of these were connected using WAN connections. Though their WAN connection was data links with about 10MB Link with redundant connections. If your connection is as fast and reliable you should not have any problem upgrading remotely using VMware Update Manager, else I would recommend you do the update locally.

I hope this help some one, if it does please reward points.

Enjoy,

Eiad Al-Aqqad

System X & Storage Technical Specialist

Founder of