Paul Walsh
asked on
Vmware new server install and 5.5 to 6.5 upgrade
Hi All
We currently run VMware 5.5 over two sites, one for production and one for recovery (managed by site recovery). We also use VDP. We are currently running 5 older servers (HP G5), 1 * management and 4* hosts running VMware 5.5.
we are about to purchase 5 new replacement servers and upgrade to VMware 6.5. What is the best way to accomplish this? I have been told that it is best to upgrade the vcenter server to 6.5 first. Is this possible on the G5, or would it be better to install a new vcenter server on the new equipment? We will then need to failover one of the existing vms on a physical host to introduce a new one into the environment, is this correct? Any advice on the best way to approach this and avoid any pitfalls would be great.
Thankyou,
Paul
We currently run VMware 5.5 over two sites, one for production and one for recovery (managed by site recovery). We also use VDP. We are currently running 5 older servers (HP G5), 1 * management and 4* hosts running VMware 5.5.
we are about to purchase 5 new replacement servers and upgrade to VMware 6.5. What is the best way to accomplish this? I have been told that it is best to upgrade the vcenter server to 6.5 first. Is this possible on the G5, or would it be better to install a new vcenter server on the new equipment? We will then need to failover one of the existing vms on a physical host to introduce a new one into the environment, is this correct? Any advice on the best way to approach this and avoid any pitfalls would be great.
Thankyou,
Paul
ASKER
Hi Andrew,
Sorry for the delay on getting back to you. I'm assuming if we install the new physical hosts we wont be able to see them in vcenter 5.5. How do we move the vms onto the new hosts if this is the case/ how do we manage the new hosts?. Would we be better upgrading/ installing a new management server first? If we install a new management server how do we add it into the existing setup / can we have a vcenter 5.5 and a 6.5 management server in the same setup?
Will there be any problem with licencing, adding the new hosts/ during the transition?
We currently use dell Equalogic SANS, will we need to do anything with the file system etc as part of the upgrade?
Sorry for the number of questions, I can start a new thread for each if this would be better?
Thankyou for your help.
Kind Regards,
Paul
Sorry for the delay on getting back to you. I'm assuming if we install the new physical hosts we wont be able to see them in vcenter 5.5. How do we move the vms onto the new hosts if this is the case/ how do we manage the new hosts?. Would we be better upgrading/ installing a new management server first? If we install a new management server how do we add it into the existing setup / can we have a vcenter 5.5 and a 6.5 management server in the same setup?
Will there be any problem with licencing, adding the new hosts/ during the transition?
We currently use dell Equalogic SANS, will we need to do anything with the file system etc as part of the upgrade?
Sorry for the number of questions, I can start a new thread for each if this would be better?
Thankyou for your help.
Kind Regards,
Paul
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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5 new replacement ESXi Hosts is easy choice, install fresh new OEM ESXi from the vendors website, e.g. HPE, DELL OEM ESXi 6.5.
So your new hosts are done, make sure running on latest firmware, before install ESXi, all networking in place and tested for VM network and Storage of using SANS. - and tested for failover.
What comes next, and your decision tree is based on version of VDP and SRM which are currently linked into vCenter 5.5.
vCenter Server 5.5 does not manage ESXi 6.5, so you've either got to upgrade existing 5.5 server, or install new...
maybe now is the time to think about VCSA 6.5.... ? Embedded VC solution, rather than Windoze ?