How to perform "side-by-side" migration from vCenter 5.5 to 6.0 U1?

[netanelbs]

Hi,

I got question regarding "side-by-side" upgrade and/or migration from Windows Server 2008 R2 VM with vCenter Server 5.5 with SQL Express and Update Manager to new fresh Windows Server 2012 R2 VM that will act as vCenter Server 6.0.

How do I perform this upgrade?

Please keep in mind that I'm working with vDS all over the hosts, so "workarounds" like that are problem to me:https://www.reddit.com/r/vmware/comments/3ro29j/side_by_side_upgrade_of_vcenter_of_55_to_6/

Thanks!

[Nick_Andreev]

To move a host connected to vDS to another vCenter you will need to do the following:

1. Reconfigure the host to use Standard vSwitches
2. Disconnect the host from the old vCenter
3. Connect the host to the new vCenter
4. Migrate the host networking from Standard vSwitches to vDS

Please refer to this KB article for more information: Moving an ESX/ESXi host with vDS from one vCenter Server to another (1029498)

I have to mention that since version 5.1 vCenter supports vDS configuration export/import. And there are multiple blogs on the Internet which describe how to do this, but I have not seen this being supported by VMware. And if something goes wrong you'll be on your own.

If there is no immediate need to migrate to Windows 2012 R2. I would recommend to stay on Windows Server 2008 R2 and simply do an in-place vCenter upgrade.