vcenter 4.1 on SQL 2005 express upgrade to vc5

[ilyo]

Hello,

Am looking to begin upgrading our environment to vsphere 5...first step is vcenter.  I have read plenty of threads on this topic...but each one seems different..some say to backup database and uninstall it all...others suggest upgrading the database to 2008 r2 first, etc.

Vsphere 5 has now been out for several months, is there a generally accepted approach to upgrading vcenter 4.1 to 5 that is on 2005 express?

My setup:
- vcenter installed on 64-bit Windows 2008 R2

- Database on 32-bit SQL 2005 express

- Looking to utilize SQL 2008 R2 express as database

- Lookign to do in-place upgrade on same 64-bit server currently on

Any advice appreciated.

[adelisa]

Hi ilyo,

yes, You can perform that .

But having some issuse discussed over hear .

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=200726...

SQL point of view its compatibility with SQL 2005

" Affirmation without discipline is the beginning of delusion."

[ilyo]

Thanks for your reply, but that KB is concerning those that upgrade vcenter to 5 and hosts are not up to 4.1.  All my hosts are at 4.1 U1.

Sorry, so when you say "yes you can perform that"..which way do you mean?

[aravinds3107]

is there a generally accepted approach to upgrading vcenter 4.1 to 5 that is on 2005

SQL 2005 is supported database for vCenter 5 (http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=100388...)

To Migrated SQL to 2008 r2 check KB

[spravtek]

SQL 2005 is supported yes, SQL 2005 Express is not: http://pubs.vmware.com/vsphere-50/index.jsp?topic=/com.vmware.vsphere.upgrade.doc_50/GUID-5CD7D461-E...

Best is to upgrade your DB first (backup/restore to supported version).

[ilyo]

Yes, am on SQL 2005 Express 32 bit.  So here is my plan, please let me know if this sounds correct.

1. Backup databases (VIM_VCDB and VIM_UMDB)

2. Uninstall SQL 2005 Express 32 bit

3. Install SQL 2008 R2 64-bit

4. Restore databases (VIM_VCDB and VIM_UMDB)

5. Run vCenter 5 iso to upgrade

Am I missing anything?  Is this the best plan?

Thanks again!

[spravtek]

Seems about right ...

This whitepaper might be interesting to have a read through: http://www.vmware.com/files/pdf/techpaper/vSphere-5-Upgrade-Best-Practices-Guide.pdf

Don't forget to create your DSN's.

[wallstru · Accepted solution]

ilyo - i just did this same upgrade 2 weeks ago.  see the process i followed here:

http://communities.vmware.com/thread/393923

hope it helps.

wally

[ilyo]

Great thread!  Thanks...I essentially did just that....am now successfully up on 2008R2 express and vcenter 5.

Thanks!

[AlbertWT]

Cool, did you encounter any issue or historical metrics lost during the upgrade ?