Patching vCenter when Using SQL Server Express

[number1vspheref]

Hello,

I have a couple of questions on patching vCenter and will use the installation of vCenter Server 4.0 Patch 1 as my reference for these questions...

:smileyinfo: I am using the tech note at http://www.badkey.com/db/blogsphere.nsf/2/JWIE-7VDPKJ/$File/PTech_note_vCenter_Server_4.0_Patch1.pdf as the process document. This appears to be an official VMware document but I can't find it anywhere on the VMware website. Is this the correct process? Is it on the VMware web site?

:smileyinfo: Backing up the database - the above tech note does not refer to smaller installations that are running SQL Express. Are there any specifics in relation to this type of installation? If I do the upgrade, I think it should see the 'old' database immediately, correct? If I do have to use the backup for whatever reason, are there any gotchas in getting this up-and-running?

Thanks,

number1vspherefan.

[AndreTheGiant]

The document is:

http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40_u1/vsp_40_u1_upgrade_guide.pdf

Run the install, specify the existing ODBC DSN and the install will performa and upgrade.

The DB schema will be update and it does not make a backup at all.

So make it FIRST to start the upgrade.

Andre

[number1vspheref]

Hi,

I didn't realise that a DSN was created when SQL Express was used - can you confirm that it is created?

Thanks,

number1vspherefan.

[AndreTheGiant]

A DSN is just a "configuration" to do a database connection.

vCenter Server install program will create both the database and the DSN.

To perform the upgrade you have to use the same DSN.

Andre

[number1vspheref]

Hi,

Thanks for that. I've done vCenter installs with 'full' SQL and with Express and I recall creating the DSN, setting up the connection etc with the full SQL but not with Express. So I suppose what I'm wondering is when I'm doing the upgrade installation, will I get the option to point it at the DSN of the existing SQL express database or do I need to do any extra work to point it at this existing DSN? Will it be visible as a DSN to the upgrade install process?

Thanks,

number1vspherefan.

[AndreTheGiant · Accepted solution]

If you point to the existing DSN of the current vCenter Server DB, then you perform the upgrade.

Otherwise you perform a new installation or an upgrade of old data.

You can see the DSN list from your ODBC manager.

Andre