To help with those unknowns, let’s discuss a few prerequisites to consider when using Update Planner. When a new feature becomes available there can be a sense of curiosity, or how will this help me, or what should I be aware of before using that feature. Update Planner handles updates and upgrades all within the same interface, further simplifying vCenter Server lifecycle. Update Planner is used to facilitate vCenter Server updates. In vSphere 7, this task list has been consolidated into a workflow that brings it all into the vSphere Client, introducing vCenter Server Update Planner. Comparing VMware products in the datacenter for compatibility with each other before upgrading.
#Vmware vcenter upgrade upgrade
Learning about the supported Upgrade Path of the new version (via VMware Product Interoperability Matrix / Upgrade Path).Understanding the interoperability of a new solution version (via VMware Product Interoperability Matrix / Interoperability).Discovering that a new version is available (via Blogs, email, VMware TAM or account teams, etc.).
#Vmware vcenter upgrade manual
In previous versions of vSphere, discovering the interoperability of VMware products within an environment included manual steps. When planning to update we must consider the many moving parts of the environment to be sure of interoperability as well as compatibility between products in the datacenter. Updating and patching systems can potentially include many steps. Some of the Tips and Tricks in this post definitely aren’t necessary, however they can help you increase the chance of a successful upgrade, and a successful restore in the event of a failed upgrade.įor more information on upgrading the vCenter Server Appliance, please visit. If you perform an application consistent snapshot by gracefully shutting down the VM prior to creating the snapshot, the virtual machine and database inside of it will be in a cleaner state. This will provide you with an application consistent snapshot instead of a crash consistent snapshot. If you follow my advice above and gracefully shutdown and restart the vCSA appliance, you can use this time to perform a VM snapshot after a graceful shutdown. This creates a crash consistent snapshot. Most VMware System Administrators I have talked to, usually snapshot the running vCSA appliance and do not snapshot the memory. Application Consistent Snapshot – Snapshot after graceful shutdown Please Note: Make sure that you give the vCSA appliance enough time to boot, start services, and let some of the maintenance tasks run before initiating an upgrade. This allows you to clear out the memory, virtual memory, and restart all vCenter services prior to starting the upgrade.
I noticed that I significantly reduced the amount of failed upgrades by simply gracefully shutting down and restarting the vCenter Server Appliance prior to an upgrade. Gracefully Shutdown and Restart the vCSA Appliance before Upgrading
I have a few very important tips and tricks to share which may help you either avoid a failed update or upgrade, or increase the chances of a successful restore from backup. You should also have your Backup application or suite performing regularly snapshot based backups of your vCSA. Only after you test and confirm the upgrade or update was successful should you delete the snapshot.