You are on page 1of 43

Upgrading to

vSphere 6.0
MELBOURNE VMUG AUGUST 11, 2016
TIM CARMAN @TPCARMAN
Tim Carman

Senior Consulting Engineer Data Centre Solutions

VMware vChampion

VCP6-DCV, VCAP5-DCA & VCAP5-DCD

Twitter: @tpcarman

Blog: www.timcarman.net
Agenda

vCenter Server 6.0 Architecture Changes & Upgrade Paths

Planning a vSphere 6.0 Upgrade

Upgrading to vCenter Server 6.0

Performing ESXi 6.0 Host Upgrades

VMworld US 2016 Announcements


End of General Support for
vSphere 5.0 & 5.1
August 24, 2016
vCenter Server 6.0 Architecture
Changes & Upgrade Paths
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
vCenter Server 6.0 Components

Platform Services Controller vCenter Server


VMware vCenter Single Sign-On (SSO) vCenter Server
License Service vCenter Inventory Service
Lookup Service vPostgres Database
VMware Directory Service vSphere Web Client
VMware Certificate Authority (VMCA) vSphere Auto Deploy
vSphere ESXi Dump Collector
VMware vSphere Syslog Collector
Platform Services Controller
Topologies
Six supported PSC topologies
vCenter Server with Embedded PSC
vCenter Server with External PSC
PSC in Replicated Configuration
PSC in HA Configuration
vCenter Server Deployment Across Sites
vCenter Server Deployment Across Sites with Load Balancer
List of recommended topologies for VMware vSphere 6.0 (2108548)
http://kb.vmware.com/kb/2108548
Platform Services
Controller Topology
Decision Tree

http://blogs.vmware.com/vsphere/20
16/04/platform-services-controller-
topology-decision-tree.html

Adam Eckerle @eck79


Which vCenter Server Platform?

Metric Windows Appliance


No. of ESXi hosts 1,000 1,000
No. of powered-on VMs 10,000 10,000
No. of ESXi hosts per cluster 64 64
No. of VMs per cluster 8,000 8,000
Linked Mode Yes Yes
Database Support Postgres (embedded), vPostgres (embedded)
SQL & Oracle
High Availability vSphere HA, vSphere FT* vSphere HA, vSphere FT*
WSFC/MSCS
IPv6 Support Yes Yes

*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

Able to deploy VMware Update ODBC


Manager, View Composer and/or Site Database
Recovery Manager on the same
machine
Support for physical vCenter host
vCenter Server Appliance (VCSA)

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.

JOE HALLENBECK THE LAST BOY SCOUT



Upgrade Reference Materials

VMware vSphere 6.0 Upgrade Guide http://www.vmware.com/go/docs

VMware Compatibility Guide http://www.vmware.com/go/vcg

VMware Product Interoperability Matrix http://www.vmware.com/go/interop

VMware Knowledgebase Articles http://www.vmware.com/kb

vSphere Upgrade Centre http://www.vmware.com/go/vsphere-upgrade

VMware vCenter Server Deployment Guide

Third Party Vendor Support


VMware Compatibility Guide
VMware Interoperability Matrix
VMware KB Articles

Important information before upgrading to vSphere 6.0 (2110293)


http://kb.vmware.com/kb/2110293

List of recommended Topologies for VMware vSphere 6.0 (2108548)


http://kb.vmware.com/kb/2108548

Best practices for upgrading to vCenter Server 6.0 (2109772)


http://kb.vmware.com/kb/2109772

Update sequence for vSphere 6.0 and its compatible VMware products (2109760)
http://kb.vmware.com/kb/2109760

Platform Services Controller 6.0 FAQs (2113115)


http://kb.vmware.com/kb/2113115

Supported host operating systems for VMware vCenter Server (2091273)


http://kb.vmware.com/kb/2091273
vCenter Server
Appliance 6.0
Reference Poster
http://blogs.vmware.com/vsphere/20
16/07/introducing-the-vcenter-
server-appliance-6-0-reference-
poster.html

Emad Younis @Emad_Younis


vCenter Server Upgrades Walkthrough
http://vmware.com/go/vsphere-upgrade-walkthrough
Create a Compatibility Matrix

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

Backup & Replication


Software Support
VM Hardware Levels
DR as a Service (DRaaS)
vCenter Server
Host OS Support
Database Support
SQL & Oracle
Resource Requirements
CPU
RAM
Storage
Create a Compatibility Matrix

vCenter Server Integration


VMware Update Manager
Host OS Support
Database Support
Site Recovery Manager
Host OS Support
Database Support
SRA Support
Horizon Suite
vRealize Suite
NSX
3rd Party Software
Plan Your Upgrade

Create an Implementation Plan


Roles and responsibilities
Schedules and timelines
Update sequence
Backups & snapshots
Create a Test Plan
Functionality Testing
Performance Testing
DR Failover Testing
Create a Rollback / Remediation Plan
Check your product support agreements
Know what to do & who to call if it all goes
wrong
Upgrade & Migration Readiness

Create/Update As Built documentation


RVTools http://www.robware.net
vCenter Documentation Script http://blogs.serioustek.net/vcenter-documentation
Deploy the vCenter Support Assistant
http://www.vmware.com/products/vcenter-support-assistant.html
Generate new vSphere 6.0 and other product licenses http://my.vmware.com
Perform an upgrade readiness assessment
Ensure there is sufficient free space on the datastore where vCenter Server resides to allow for
snapshots
Ensure VM and database backups are working correctly
Ensure forward and reverse DNS records are in place and working
Ensure vCenter Server, ESXi and Active Directory components have NTP configured
Resolve any outstanding issues within the environment prior to upgrade
Readiness Assessment Tools

Provides a single-pane-of-glass view into all


vCenter Server instances
Automatically maps all ESXi servers against the
VMware HCL for upgrade planning and
compatibility checks
Detects any installed PCI devices and maps them
VMworld Free Trial Promotion against the VMware HCL for upgrade planning
and compatibility checks
http://info.cloudphysics.com/VMworld_Re Maps every virtual machines guest OS against
operating system vendor support matrices
gistration.html
Assesses Guest Tools Health versions before and
after upgrades
Identifies critical KB articles from VMware, IBM,
EMC, Cisco and Dell that match your environment
Readiness Assessment Tools

Discovers issues in your vSphere


environment by using the current VMware
Knowledge Base articles
Collects, retains and navigates through
your virtual infrastructure logs
MVMUG Members 6 Months Free Trial
Ensures compliance by running Best
https://www.runecast.biz/mvmug.jsp Practices fit gap analysis reports and
continuous Security Hardening checks
Publish a case study or review of
Runecast Analyzer for your chance to
receive a free 12 Month subscription
Upgrading to vCenter Server 6.0
IN-PLACE VS NEW DEPLOYMENT
In-Place vCenter Upgrade

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

Ensure database user has db_owner or sysadmin permissions to the vCenter


Server and MSDB databases
Error code 1603 when upgrading to vCenter Server 6.0 (2119768)
http://kb.vmware.com/kb/2119768
Upgrading VMware vCenter Server from 5.x to 6.0 fails with the error: The user
associated with the DSN has insufficient privileges (2114754)
http://kb.vmware.com/kb/2114754
New vCenter Server Deployment
MIGRATION TOOLS & CONSIDERATIONS
vCenter Server Migration Tools

VMware PowerCLI VMware Fling VCS to VCA Converter


http://www.vmware.com/go/powercli Fling *** DEPRECATED ***
VMware Fling - InventorySnapshot
http://labs.vmware.com/flings/inventorysn
apshot *** UNSUPPORTED ***
Performing ESXi Host 6.0 Upgrades
BEST PRACTICES AND RECOMMENDATIONS
VMware ESXi Host Upgrades

Rebuild or Upgrade? There is no need to rebuild ESXi 5.x


hosts
Rebuilding requires reconfiguration of
ESXi hosts (unless using host profiles)
ESXi upgrade process
Save config
Overwrite VIBs
Reboot
Re-apply saved config
VMware ESXi Host Upgrades

Where possible use VMware Update Manager to perform ESXi upgrades


Use an ISO image or esxcli where VMware Update Manager is not available
Use OEM custom ESXi ISO images for the corresponding hardware vendors
Cisco
HPE
Dell
Fujitsu
Hitachi
NEC
Lenovo
Use ESXi Image Builder to create custom ESXi images if required
Import custom ESXi ISOs to VMware Update Manager to create host upgrade baselines
VMware Tools & Hardware Upgrade

VMware Tools Virtual Hardware


Upgrade highly recommended but Upgrade recommended but not
mandatory
not mandatory
Requires virtual machine to be
Upgrades can be performed manually, shutdown prior to upgrade
via VMware Update Manager, or at Ensure VMware Tools is upgraded first
virtual machine power on
Virtual Hardware is not backward
Requires reboot of virtual machine compatible with other ESXi versions
after upgrade Do not upgrade virtual hardware until all
upgrade testing is completed
VMware Tools is backward compatible For replicated VMs, ensure the virtual
with other ESXi versions hardware version is compatible with
ESXi at your recovery site before
upgrading

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

Kyle Ruddy @kmruddy #INF9044 - Journey to the vCenter Server Appliance

William Lam @lamw #INF9083 - Ask the vCenter Server Experts Panel

Blair Fritz @TheVMBlair #INF8260 - Automated Deployment and Configuration of the


vCenter Server Appliance

Brian Graf @vBrianGraf


#INF8225 - The vCenter Server and Platform Services Controller
Guide to the Galaxy
Ryan Johnson @tenthirtyam

You might also like