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jnagle17
Contributor
Contributor
‎01-18-2010 10:11 AM

Upgrading ESX Hosts and compatibility w/ Nexus 1000V

We just discovered that when you upgrade your ESX Host from version 4.0 to 4.0 Update 1 you also have to upgrade your VEM software on the Host.

My question is since we have to upgrade the VEM with every update of the ESX software is the VSM Versions going to work? According to VMWare and Cisco there is also a new version of the VSM but I am under the impression that the only way to upgrade that you will have to lose connectivity to the VSM which we have about 1000 servers now so that will not work.

-- Our network has configured the ports and we are able to see connectivity in vCenter (green lights on the uplink group)

Running esx version VMware ESX 4.0.0 build-164009-164009 x86_64

VEM Version: 4.0.4.1.1.27-0.4.2

VSM Version: 4.0(4)SV1(1)

-- Our network has configured the ports and we are NOT able to see connectivity in vCenter (grey X on the uplink group)

Running esx version -208167 x86_64

VEM Version: 4.0.4.1.1.30-1.9.16

VSM Version: 4.0(4)SV1(1)

I have attached a screen shot, Does anyone have any suggestions?

Preview file
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4 Replies
surya_srinivasa
Contributor
Contributor
‎01-18-2010 10:44 AM

Looks like you upgrading the ESX from 4.0 to 4.0 update 1. Yes you will have to upgrade the VEM to be compatible with 4.0 update 1. If you are using VUM it should pull in the right VEM and install it for you. If you are using manual method you will have to pass in both the ESX 4.0 udpate1 and the corresponding VEM version to upgrade.

You do not need to upgrade the VSM for this. You can continue to use the 4.0(4)SV1(1) version of VSM/VEM. The VEM alone needs to be upgraded to be compatible with ESX update 1.

Looks like you are running the right versions for update 1 based on http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/switches/datacenter/nexus1000/sw/4_0/compatibility/information/n1000...

We need to understand why the hosts didn't get connected back to the VC.

  1. Do the hosts show up on VSM ?

  2. is the esx management port on Nexus 1000V ? if yes is the management vlan configured as system vlan on the port profile and on the corresponding uplink port profile?

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jnagle17
Contributor
Contributor
‎01-18-2010 10:47 AM

That's not really what I'm looking for. I've discovered if you just use vSphere Update Manager you can properly get the correct version of the VEM installed on the ESX Host without having to manually spend the time wondering with VIB file to install.

I am really looking for any documentation stating that the VSM does not need to be upgraded (is compatible) with the new versions of the VEM. Maybe a document or someone from VMWare or Cisco stating which versions of the VSM are compatible with which versions of the VEM?

or

If the VSM has to be upgraded with every version of the VEM, how can I upgrade the VSM without losing connectivity to the 1000+ VM's that are attached to it?

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surya_srinivasa
Contributor
Contributor
‎01-18-2010 04:07 PM

VSM does not need to be upgraded when you update the ESX.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/switches/datacenter/nexus1000/sw/4_0/compatibility/information/n1000... lists all the VEMs compatible with the first version 4.0(4)SV1(1) in Nexus 1000V. It lists the VEMs for each ESX patch/udpate on 4.0 released so far. Hope it is clear from this doc that you do not need to upgrade VSM.

The next version of Nexus 1000V is 4.0(4)SV1(2) and it also supports all ESX4.0 patches/updates released so far. See the compatibility guide for 4.0(4)SV1(2) at http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/switches/datacenter/nexus1000/sw/4_0_4_s_v_1_2/compatibility/informa...

All Nexus 1000V docs at http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps9902/tsd_products_support_series_home.html

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