How to upgrade existing VMware 6.5 virtualization infra to 7.x?
This is using VMware 6.5 virtualization. We have 2 locations in site-to-site VPN. In site A, we have 2 ESXi Host 6.5, vCenter 6.5, and 8 VMs. These 2 hosts are connected to DELL MD3220i storage. In site B, we have 1 ESXi Host 6.5, and 3 VMs.
We bought 2 new DELL R450 Servers to be setup as ESXi 7 hosts. We also bought DELL ME5012 SAN Storage to be connected by these 2 hosts. Our plan is to upgrade to VMware 7 for both vCenter and ESXi host. At the end, all those 3 existing ESXi hosts and vCenter will be decommissioned. All VMs will be migrated to this new SAN Storage.
I heard that in the first place, we have to run the vCenter 7 setup to import all the existing configuration to a new vCenter 7 appliance. Then follow by ESXi hosts and so on. Please enlighten step by step, thanks.
There is really no need to upgrade any ESXi 6.5 hosts to ESXi 7.0.
All that is required is vCenter Server is migrated/upgraded to vCenter 7.0.
Once this is completed, install your new hosts and storage with ESXi 7.0, add them to existing vCenter 7.0.
and then use Storage vMotion to Migrate all the VMs from old ESXi 6.5 to 7.0.
Update VMware Tools and Upgrade virtual machine hardware versions (but this is optional, and NOT an immediate requirement)
All that is required is vCenter Server is migrated/upgraded to vCenter 7.0.
Once this is completed, install your new hosts and storage with ESXi 7.0, add them to existing vCenter 7.0.
and then use Storage vMotion to Migrate all the VMs from old ESXi 6.5 to 7.0.
Update VMware Tools and Upgrade virtual machine hardware versions (but this is optional, and NOT an immediate requirement)
ASKER
Hi Arnold,
Does this mean that on one of new estimates host 7, I can actually setup the vcenter and choose to get all the existing configuration?
How about this new host? Does this new host has to join to the same cluster? or can this be standalone?
Does this mean that on one of new estimates host 7, I can actually setup the vcenter and choose to get all the existing configuration?
How about this new host? Does this new host has to join to the same cluster? or can this be standalone?
ASKER
Hi Andrew,
So, after the vcenter, skip the upgrade of 3 existing hosts. join the 2 new hosts in, and then plan to migrate all the vm, right?
Btw, how to setup this storage vmotion? does this has to setup on all the existing and new hosts? any alternative way to migrate vm?
thanks
So, after the vcenter, skip the upgrade of 3 existing hosts. join the 2 new hosts in, and then plan to migrate all the vm, right?
Btw, how to setup this storage vmotion? does this has to setup on all the existing and new hosts? any alternative way to migrate vm?
thanks
ASKER
Hi Andrew,
Does the essentials license support storage vmotion?
Does the essentials license support storage vmotion?
it will be a waste of time upgrading old hosts not required
ah!
okay hang on here number of issues with Essential licenses
1. no more than 3 hosts allowed
2. no vMotion or storage vmotion
so you just have an Essentials license?
ah!
okay hang on here number of issues with Essential licenses
1. no more than 3 hosts allowed
2. no vMotion or storage vmotion
so you just have an Essentials license?
ASKER
Hi Andrew,
No, I will check was license we have.
btw, how to setup storage vmotion?
No, I will check was license we have.
btw, how to setup storage vmotion?
Okay get back to me on which licenses you have because it makes a difference on the migration procedure.
Your new vcenter should be on the new host otherwise it will need to be migrated before the old hosts are decomissioned.
ASKER
Hi Andrew
is Essentials plus
is Essentials plus
Vmoition is part of the plus package. .
https://store-us.vmware.com/vmware-vsphere-essentials-plus-kit-285644500.html
https://store-us.vmware.com/vmware-vsphere-essentials-plus-kit-285644500.html
What is your available timeframe, dependence among vms, and applicatio s.
Vsphere replication to
Vsphere replication to
Okay, so you still have an issue, or small problem, because you can only add 3 hosts to vCenter Server.
So you will have to retire 1 old 6.5 host, add new host and continue the migration of VMsfrom 6.5 to 7.0 host, and then repeat.
So you will have to retire 1 old 6.5 host, add new host and continue the migration of VMsfrom 6.5 to 7.0 host, and then repeat.
ASKER
Hi Andrew,
Can use the trial version? Use this version to do VM migrating. After that, decomm the old hosts and type in the production license on these 2 new host?
Can use the trial version? Use this version to do VM migrating. After that, decomm the old hosts and type in the production license on these 2 new host?
You cannot add more than 3 hosts to Essentials Plus limited by vCenter Server Essentials Plus.
Andrew, I think he is trying to use the 30 day eval version/window to install the vcenter 7 on the newly installed esi 7 host import the other hosts and use vmorion if provided during the eval to migrate vms from 6.5 into the 7.0 hosts ....then upon completion decommiszion the 6.5 hosts and add the licenses to the 7 version....
I
A 30 day window for such a transition ....
The issue of concern is the migration and dependencies ..of vms and applications.
I
A 30 day window for such a transition ....
The issue of concern is the migration and dependencies ..of vms and applications.
@Arnold
I'm not sure what he's trying to do, unless this has changed from the original question.
Migrate using Storage vMotion from Cross Storage vMotion between vCenter Servers is NOT an issue to VMs, or Applications providing all configured correctly. It''s not made clear if all needs to be done, Live.
otherwise just use VMware Converter.
I'm not sure what he's trying to do, unless this has changed from the original question.
Migrate using Storage vMotion from Cross Storage vMotion between vCenter Servers is NOT an issue to VMs, or Applications providing all configured correctly. It''s not made clear if all needs to be done, Live.
otherwise just use VMware Converter.
The scenario js 3 host esx6.5 two in a HA configuration (shared storage)
New hardware with new shared storage procured.
How to get from the 6.5 esi hosts to the 7.0 esi hosts..
Once migrated, the two ha es 6.5 hosta are decpmissioned.
This is my interpretation. of where the questio.n is.
New hardware with new shared storage procured.
How to get from the 6.5 esi hosts to the 7.0 esi hosts..
Once migrated, the two ha es 6.5 hosta are decpmissioned.
This is my interpretation. of where the questio.n is.
@Arnold
Many ways to do this, but this is stated in the question
"Our plan is to upgrade to VMware 7 for both vCenter and ESXi host. At the end, all those 3 existing ESXi hosts and vCenter will be decommissioned."
An upgrade, not a new install? e.g. the performance, history, templates and everything.
and if he just wants to install new, then install new with the 7.0 licenses he has!
and vMotion but that's not an upgrade.
Many ways to do this, but this is stated in the question
"Our plan is to upgrade to VMware 7 for both vCenter and ESXi host. At the end, all those 3 existing ESXi hosts and vCenter will be decommissioned."
An upgrade, not a new install? e.g. the performance, history, templates and everything.
and if he just wants to install new, then install new with the 7.0 licenses he has!
and vMotion but that's not an upgrade.
Andrew,
I, as someone who jumps to a conclusion quickly, this time I read through. In my opinion, the point of the question is to gauge whether the "plan" they have in mind is the correct one.
this is what they stated as their plan, note the reference to the new hardware and SAN one sentences before their plan line.
"We bought 2 new DELL R450 Servers to be setup as ESXi 7 hosts. We also bought DELL ME5012 SAN Storage to be connected by these 2 hosts. "
This is why I saw it as a rather odd approach.
It would be similar to "I bought a new house. our plan is to buy new furniture, after the new furniture arrives i will sell the old house.
I, as someone who jumps to a conclusion quickly, this time I read through. In my opinion, the point of the question is to gauge whether the "plan" they have in mind is the correct one.
this is what they stated as their plan, note the reference to the new hardware and SAN one sentences before their plan line.
"We bought 2 new DELL R450 Servers to be setup as ESXi 7 hosts. We also bought DELL ME5012 SAN Storage to be connected by these 2 hosts. "
This is why I saw it as a rather odd approach.
It would be similar to "I bought a new house. our plan is to buy new furniture, after the new furniture arrives i will sell the old house.
it is unclear, I will wait for @SooHow Cheng as to what it wants to do.
ASKER
Hi Andrew and Arnold,
Let's put it this way, currently, we have dual-host connects to a shared storage with about 10+ VMs and a standalone 3rd host with 3 VMs on different subnet. vCenter and hosts are 6.5
Now, we bought 2 new dual-host (DELL PowerEdge 450) and a new shared storage (DELL PowerVault ME5012).
Our final objective is we want to have a VMware 7 virtualization infra with only the above 2 DELL PowerEdge 450 hosts connects with DELL PowerVault ME5012 shared storage using iSCSI. All the existing VMs will be migrated to this new shared storage. Of course, we need to have a vCenter 7.
The 3 existing host will be decommissioned as the server hardware is too old.
Let's put it this way, currently, we have dual-host connects to a shared storage with about 10+ VMs and a standalone 3rd host with 3 VMs on different subnet. vCenter and hosts are 6.5
Now, we bought 2 new dual-host (DELL PowerEdge 450) and a new shared storage (DELL PowerVault ME5012).
Our final objective is we want to have a VMware 7 virtualization infra with only the above 2 DELL PowerEdge 450 hosts connects with DELL PowerVault ME5012 shared storage using iSCSI. All the existing VMs will be migrated to this new shared storage. Of course, we need to have a vCenter 7.
The 3 existing host will be decommissioned as the server hardware is too old.
My Main question is do you have a good breakdown on how the VMs and the applications you have interact.
iscsi? do you have a 10G network?
iscsi? do you have a 10G network?
Are you bothered about keeping the current configuration, performance data, custom specifications and templates.
OR do you just want a brand new vSphere 7.0 ? if you just want a brand new vSphere 7.0, then just
install the new ESXi 7.0 hosts with new storage, new vCenter 7.0 and when that's done, new Licenses.
MOVE the VMs.
1. Storage vMotion
2. Backup and Restore
3. VMware Converter
if that's not what you want to do, then let me know.
OR do you just want a brand new vSphere 7.0 ? if you just want a brand new vSphere 7.0, then just
install the new ESXi 7.0 hosts with new storage, new vCenter 7.0 and when that's done, new Licenses.
MOVE the VMs.
1. Storage vMotion
2. Backup and Restore
3. VMware Converter
if that's not what you want to do, then let me know.
ASKER
Hi Arnold,
Don't really have those breakdown. However, just treat that each VM is independent.
Don't really have those breakdown. However, just treat that each VM is independent.
ASKER
Hi Andrew,
Yes, not need to keep those existing config, templates.
Yes, not need to keep those existing config, templates.
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ASKER
Hi Andrew,
Have downtime for 48 hours
Have downtime for 48 hours
Okay, makes things simpler you can "Cold Migrate" or use VMware Converter. So your high level steps are above.
You could power off all VMs, Backup and just Restore, it would also be a good test of your backups.
You could power off all VMs, Backup and just Restore, it would also be a good test of your backups.
ASKER
Hi Andrew,
Can I copy those vmdk files over, and then create the vm over the destination?
Can I copy those vmdk files over, and then create the vm over the destination?
ASKER
Hi Andrew,
I ever use the converter before. Most of the VMs is 100g, 300gb, 2 are 500g. There are 2 about 3000g. Roughly how long it take to migrate those 3000g?
I ever use the converter before. Most of the VMs is 100g, 300gb, 2 are 500g. There are 2 about 3000g. Roughly how long it take to migrate those 3000g?
Very difficult to give you transfer times very storage, host, network dependent which is why I suggested Restore from backup
Do not manually copy files there are better methods
ASKER
Hi Andrew,
Understood.
Understood.
Do you have vmware7 setup on the new hosts?
If memory serves when you install the vcenter 7 on one of the new hosts during the process it gives you an option to pull the data from an existing vcenter
the VMs from 6.5 I think can run on the version 7.
you could update/upgrade the vmtools at that time. etc.
not sure I understand what you are considering
What are you using for the backups of the VMs?