vCenter ELM upgrades

[azuser]

We have two vCenter 7 servers running in Enhanced Linked Mode with the same SSO domain. We want to upgrade to version 8. I have a question about the upgrade steps and hope someone can shed some light on it: do we need to power down the second vCenter while the upgrade process is taking place on the first one?

[Nathan Watts]

Hello azuser, 

No the ELM vCenter needs to be online for the upgrade process.

Make sure you have backups file based is best.

vCenters should be on an ephemeral port group, if vCenter is not on line and the VM is on a static port group it may not be able to power on, as static port groups require vCenter to manage the port groups.

Prior to upgrade take a quiesced snap of both vCenters, shut both vCenters down at the same time, snap them from the host. if a roll back is required both need to be rolled back together.

Depending on the patch release of vCenter 7, ensure you are not in a back in time upgrade restriction (you can't upgrade to an older release date) see the Interoperability Matrix

make sure to read through the upgrade guide for detailed information.

[ninjabrum]

Steps are outlined in the KB below:

https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article/372863/quick-guide-to-upgrade-from-vcenter-serv.html

[Alexandru Capras]

Just to add to what Nathan and ninjabrum already said:

With an ELM vCenter setup, it's always a good idea to take a 'cold' snapshot... meaning power off both vCenters and take the snapshots while they're in the same powered-off state.

"Take snapshots of the vCenter VM. If the vCenter is in Enhanced Linked Mode (ELM), ALL VC's in ELM must be powered off together and snapshots taken when ALL are powered off, NOTE: When reverting snapshot revert all snapshots for each vCenter in ELM."

[ninjabrum]

Yes, the crucial part to any maintenance on ELM vCenter appliances is the cold snapshot of each VCSA while powered off.  Any rollback requires this, or you may need to rely on backups.