VMware Cloud Community
amateolo
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

procedure before upgrade

Good morning,

We are going to migrate a 8 node cluster, Dell PE R630 with a Vsphere 6.7 U3 to 7.0 U3c.

It is my first migration and I would like to know what you recommend to check.

From what I have been able to read in recommendations, updating the server firmware to the latest version always helps to avoid problems (BIOS, HBA, NIC) and check compatibiliy matrix vmware........Nic, hba, bios, server, cpu.....¿more?

Anything else I can take into account?

Another doubt......ISO custom from Dell or not?

Accept any tips.

regards!!

Reply
0 Kudos
3 Replies
irigoyen
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Hello,

As you already said, at first I would check the HW compatibility with the “VMware Compatibility Guide” (https://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/search.php). I would give special attention to the NICs and HBA adapters.

Check the Interoperability matrix with other VMware products that you have in your Environment. (https://interopmatrix.vmware.com/Interoperability)

Then you have to upgrade all the firmware of the Hosts. Be careful that sometimes this task take a lot of time.

My hosts are not Dell, but I always made a positive experience with the custom ISOs. You are sure that all the drivers are in place and up to date. You have also performance improvements.

To conclude completely you have then to update the VMware tools on the VMs and eventually upgrade the VM Hardware level. You should upgrade before the VMware tools, so that you are sure that the necessary driver are already in place.

Have fun!

Reply
0 Kudos
amateolo
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

I've always had doubts about this, the firmware.

Firmware always updated before upgrades, right?

It is a slow process, as we have seen.

 

Thank you

Reply
0 Kudos
johnmcc22
Contributor
Contributor

We use HP blade servers here, I usually use the Custom HPE ISO for the esxi install, since it always has the latest drivers.  

Reply
0 Kudos