Upgrade ESX 5.0 to 5.1 and add new NIC/RAM

hanccocka is spot on.
One other consideration is VMware is licenced per core and 64GB of memory. Check that your licencing will support 128GB of memory as there is an additional charge for this.

5.1 removes the RAM restriction

Thanks detox1978 I learnt something. Points in the mail :)

It's actually the only reason I'm upgrading :)


We are running vCenter 5.0... where would Update Manager be located?

Makes sense.
You have to run vSpehere Client on the VC server, go to the Home screen, Update manager is under Solutions and Applications.

if you've not installed Update Manager, it's installed on a server or vCenter Server?

did you install it?

I'm currently running vCenter 5.0... do I need to install vCenter 5.1 to update it before or after?

I can't find  vCenter Server Update Manager on the VMWare All Download section.  Any ideas where it is?

found it, ignore me.

I've downloaded update manager and I'm about to intall it on my vCenter server.

Will it take to VM's offline or anything?

ok thanks.  I've installed it and enabled the add on.

When I run a scan none of the updates appear to be 5.1

Update manager has completed, but the server is still 5.0

Any idea what I've missed out?

I'm running vCenter 5.0, how do I upgrade it.

Am I ok to install it on a new server?

Actually time is running out, so I'd best install it on the existing server, can I just install over the top?

Yes, just run setup, and it will perform an upgrade. (but be warned, many issues with 5.1 upgrades and vCenter 5.1 - as seen here on EE!).

Sometimes, it's better just to install vCenter 5.1 from scratch.

and I would not try to rush a vCenter 5.1 or ESXi 5.0 to ESXi 5.1 upgrade.

I did state, upgrade RAM, and NICs first, wait a few weeks, and then apply vCenter 5.1 upgrade, and then complete ESXi 5.0 - ESXi 5.1.

otherwise if something breaks, you will not know if it was RAM, NICS, ESXi 5.1 or vCenter 5.1 which has caused the issue!

The plan is to upgrade to ESX 5.1 and in a few weeks add the additional RAM, as we are not licensed for the extra RAM on 5.0.

I'm installing vCenter on a new server, but its asking for a SSO?


ANy idea what this is, I dont remember having to do this last time.

SSO is a new feature of vCenter 5.1, you will need to install it as a prereq to install vCenter 5.1.

the installation is on the disk.

This is a lot different to the last time I installed it.

I've installed VCenter 5.1 and all the pre-reqs.  But there are no shortcuts to the software.

Something called "VMware vCenter Orchestrator" is there but it wont accept any of the passwords I setup

Yes, vCenter 5.1 is somewhat different to vCenter 5.0.

All the shortcuts should be located under VMware on the Start Menu.

more information on VMware vCenter Orchestrator here

http://www.vmware.com/products/vcenter-orchestrator/overview.html
http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs/orchestrator_pubs.html
http://blogs.vmware.com/orchestrator/

further questions on  "VMware vCenter Orchestrator" require a new question.

Is VMware vCenter Orchestrator the new name for vCenter?

No, see my post:-

http:#a38889201

I've downloaded and installed vCenter 5.1 as instructed.  This has not created any of the expected shortcut, but has installed a product called "VMware vCenter Orchestrator", which wont take any of usernames.

to be honest doing it via vCenter see far too long winded, so I'll do it via the CD.

Do I just burn it to disk and follow the on screen instructions?


Will I lose any data?

Ok, I've manage to work out my issues.  I hadn't installed vSphere on the new server.

It's installing now.  I'll let you know f I have any issues.

If you have never used Update Manager, Update from CDROM is probably quicker, and it will preserve datastores and VMs. (but always have a backup)

thanks, all is working now.