Professional Documents
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vSphere 6.0
MELBOURNE VMUG AUGUST 11, 2016
TIM CARMAN @TPCARMAN
Tim Carman
VMware vChampion
Twitter: @tpcarman
Blog: www.timcarman.net
Agenda
http://blogs.vmware.com/vsphere/20
16/04/platform-services-controller-
topology-decision-tree.html
*FT can only be used to protect vCenter Server for the tiny and small deployment type, 2 vCPU and 4 vCPU,
respectively.
vCenter Server Windows (VCS)
Advantages Disadvantages
Provides database support for MS- Windows Server licensing
SQL & Oracle requirements
AlwaysOn Availability for SQL DBs Host OS & Database interoperability
Windows Server Failover Clustering
More effort required to deploy,
VMware administrators may find VCS configure and patch
easier to diagnose with existing
knowledge and skillsets Windows Operating System
Advantages Disadvantages
Simple and rapid deployment and Lack of support for MS-SQL & Oracle
upgrade databases
Simplified backup and recoverability Requires Windows Server for VMware
Update Manager, View Composer
Embedded vPostgres database
and/or Site Recovery Manager
VMware's preferred deployment
Provides fewer options to provide
model
high availability for vCenter Server
Full VMware support (end to end)
Administrative skillsets require a shift
from Windows to Linux for
troubleshooting
Planning a vSphere 6.0 Upgrade
WHAT TO DO BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Be prepared son. Thats my
motto. Be prepared.
Update sequence for vSphere 6.0 and its compatible VMware products (2109760)
http://kb.vmware.com/kb/2109760
Component
Backup, Compute, Storage, etc.
Sub-Component
Product, HW/SW Type, etc.
Specification
Current Version, OS, DB, etc.
Support Status
Action(s) Required
Upgrade to version x.y.z
Generate license(s)
Reference(s)
Links to support matrix & KB articles
Comments
Create a Compatibility Matrix
Compute
VMware ESXi Versions
BIOS / Firmware Revisions
Server Hardware
Network & Host Bus Adapters
I/O Modules (Blade Servers)
Storage Controllers (VSAN)
Storage
Software / Firmware Revisions
VAAI & VASA Support
Replication Software
Storage Replication Adapters
Create a Compatibility Matrix
Advantages Disadvantages
Requires the least amount of effort to Not suitable for deployments prior to
upgrade vSphere 5.x
Limitations due to Host OS & Database
Minimal change to existing
interoperability (Windows)
configuration
Rollback has limitations
Simplified upgrade and rollback using
You should not snapshot a PSC in a
existing vCenter Server 5.1/5.5 multi-site or HA configuration
appliance
Limited upgrade paths
Data is exported and migrated from
Currently no VCS to VCSA upgrade path
old VCSA to new VCSA
Deprecated* vCenter Server topologies
may require redesign to be supported in
future releases
* A deprecated topology is one that is currently supported in 6.0 but will not be supported in the future. These topologies are not #migrate2vcsa
recommended.
vCenter Server Upgrade Paths
vCenter Server 5.x vCenter Server 6.0
vCenter Server 5.0 Choice of either an embedded or an
external Platform Services Controller
instance during the upgrade
vCenter Server 5.1 or 5.5 services vCenter Server 6.0 with embedded
deployed on the same machine Platform Services Controller
vCenter Single Sign-On 5.1 or 5.5 service vCenter Server 6.0 with an external
is deployed on a different machine than Platform Services Controller instance
vCenter Server
Custom installation which includes Machines running Single Sign-On become
multiple replicating vCenter Single Sign- external Platform Services Controllers.
On servers Machines running vCenter Server become
vCenter Server with external Platforms
Services Controllers
New vCenter Deployment
Advantages Disadvantages
Provides an opportunity to move to Requires additional effort to migrate
the vCenter Server Appliance existing vCenter configuration
Provides an opportunity to move Lack of VMware supported migration
away from deprecated vCenter Server tools to new vCenter Server instance
topologies PowerCLI scripting
Provides more granular upgrade and Manual reconfiguration
rollback approach
Normally requires reinstallation
Minimises risk and/or reconfiguration of vCenter
Server integrated products
#migrate2vcsa
vCenter Server In-Place Upgrade
UPGRADE RECOMMENDATIONS
vCenter Server In-Place Upgrade
Recommendations
If possible, upgrade other VMware products to a common 5.x/6.0
interoperability level prior to vCenter Server upgrade
Follow VMware's product update sequence
http://kb.vmware.com/kb/2109760
Backup vCenter Server machines
Snapshot vCenter Server VMs
Backup Distributed Virtual Switch configurations
Repoint vCenter 5.5 embedded SSO to a newly deployed external SSO prior to
6.0 upgrade
Re-pointing and re-registering VMware vCenter Server 5.1 / 5.5 and components
(2033620) http://kb.vmware.com/kb/2033620
Remove old legacy vCenter Server components prior to 6.0 upgrade
Isolate vCenter Server from Linked
Mode
Ensure each vCenter Server instance is isolated
before upgrade
If the Linked Mode Configuration wizard does
not allow you to isolate the vCenter Server
instance, refer to the following VMware KB
articles;
Isolating vCenter Server from a linked mode
configuration fails (2013411)
http://kb.vmware.com/kb/2013411
Isolating a vCenter Server instance from the
Linked Mode using the Configuration wizard fails
with the error: "Isolate instance VMwareVCMSDS"
failed (2012957)
http://kb.vmware.com/kb/2012957
Check vCenter Server Database
Configuration
Verify you have the correct database source name (DSN) client
Microsoft SQL Server Native Client 10 or 11
Verify SQL compatibility mode prior to vCenter Server upgrade
Installing or Upgrading to vCenter Server 6.0 fails with the error: Incompatible
MSSQL version with vCenter Server 6.0 (2111541) http://kb.vmware.com/kb2111541
http://blogs.vmware.com/vsphere/2016/03/six-methods-for-keeping-vm-tools-up-to-date.html
VMworld US 2016
Announcements
AUGUST 28 SEPTEMBER 1, 2016
@VMware #VMworld
#migrate2vcsa
Who to Follow @ What to Follow #
Adam Eckerle @eck79 #INF9944 - Whats new with vCenter Server
Emad Younis @Emad_Younis #INF9047 - Managing vSphere 6.0 Deployments and Upgrades
William Lam @lamw #INF9083 - Ask the vCenter Server Experts Panel