Download - Upgrading to VMware vSphere 6.0
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 forvSphere 5.0 & 5.1
August 24, 2016
vCenter Server 6.0 Architecture Changes & Upgrade PathsDESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
vCenter Server 6.0 Components
Platform Services Controller
VMware vCenter Single Sign-On (SSO)
License Service
Lookup Service
VMware Directory Service
VMware Certificate Authority (VMCA)
vCenter Server
vCenter Server
vCenter Inventory Service
vPostgres Database
vSphere Web Client
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/2016/04/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),SQL & Oracle
vPostgres (embedded)
High Availability vSphere HA, vSphere FT*WSFC/MSCS
vSphere HA, vSphere FT*
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
Provides database support for MS-SQL & Oracle
AlwaysOn Availability for SQL DBs
Windows Server Failover Clustering
VMware administrators may find VCS easier to diagnose with existing knowledge and skillsets
Able to deploy VMware Update Manager, View Composer and/or Site Recovery Manager on the same machine
Support for physical vCenter host
Disadvantages
Windows Server licensing requirements
Host OS & Database interoperability
More effort required to deploy, configure and patch
Windows Operating System
ODBC
Database
vCenter Server Appliance (VCSA)
Advantages
Simple and rapid deployment and upgrade
Simplified backup and recoverability
Embedded vPostgres database
VMware's preferred deployment model
Full VMware support (end to end)
Disadvantages
Lack of support for MS-SQL & Oracle databases
Requires Windows Server for VMware Update Manager, View Composer and/or Site Recovery Manager
Provides fewer options to provide high availability for vCenter Server
Administrative skillsets require a shift from Windows to Linux for troubleshooting
Planning a vSphere 6.0 UpgradeWHAT TO DO BEFORE YOU BEGIN
“”
Be prepared son. That’s 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/2016/07/introducing-the-vcenter-server-appliance-6-0-reference-poster.html
Emad Younis @Emad_Younis
vCenter Server Upgrades Walkthroughhttp://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 Assistanthttp://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 against the VMware HCL for upgrade planning and compatibility checks
Maps every virtual machine’s guest OS against operating system vendor support matrices
Assesses Guest Tools Health versions before and after upgrades
Identifies critical KB articles from VMware, IBM, EMC, Cisco and Dell that match your environment
VMworld Free Trial Promotion
http://info.cloudphysics.com/VMworld_Registration.html
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
Ensures compliance by running Best Practices fit gap analysis reports and continuous Security Hardening checks
MVMUG Members 6 Months Free Trial
https://www.runecast.biz/mvmug.jsp
Publish a case study or review of Runecast Analyzer for your chance to receive a free 12 Month subscription
Upgrading to vCenter Server 6.0IN-PLACE VS NEW DEPLOYMENT
In-Place vCenter Upgrade
Advantages
Requires the least amount of effort to upgrade
Minimal change to existing configuration
Simplified upgrade and rollback using existing vCenter Server 5.1/5.5 appliance
Data is exported and migrated from old VCSA to new VCSA
Disadvantages
Not suitable for deployments prior to vSphere 5.x
Limitations due to Host OS & Database interoperability (Windows)
Rollback has limitations
You should not snapshot a PSC in a multi-site or HA configuration
Limited upgrade paths
Currently no VCS to VCSA upgrade path
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 recommended.
#migrate2vcsa
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 deployed on the same machine
vCenter Server 6.0 with embedded Platform Services Controller
vCenter Single Sign-On 5.1 or 5.5 service is deployed on a different machine than vCenter Server
vCenter Server 6.0 with an external Platform Services Controller instance
Custom installation which includes multiple replicating vCenter Single Sign-On servers
Machines running Single Sign-On become external Platform Services Controllers. Machines running vCenter Server become vCenter Server with external Platforms Services Controllers
New vCenter Deployment
Advantages
Provides an opportunity to move to the vCenter Server Appliance
Provides an opportunity to move away from deprecated vCenter Server topologies
Provides more granular upgrade and rollback approach
Minimises risk
Disadvantages
Requires additional effort to migrate existing vCenter configuration
Lack of VMware supported migration tools to new vCenter Server instance
PowerCLI scripting
Manual reconfiguration
Normally requires reinstallation and/or reconfiguration of vCenterServer integrated products
#migrate2vcsa
vCenter Server In-Place UpgradeUPGRADE 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 sequencehttp://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 vCenterServer 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 DeploymentMIGRATION TOOLS & CONSIDERATIONS
vCenter Server Migration Tools
VMware PowerCLIhttp://www.vmware.com/go/powercli
VMware Fling - InventorySnapshothttp://labs.vmware.com/flings/inventorysnapshot *** UNSUPPORTED ***
VMware Fling – VCS to VCA Converter Fling *** DEPRECATED ***
Performing ESXi Host 6.0 UpgradesBEST PRACTICES AND RECOMMENDATIONS
VMware ESXi Host Upgrades
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
Rebuild or Upgrade?
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
Upgrade highly recommended but not mandatory
Upgrades can be performed manually, via VMware Update Manager, or at virtual machine power on
Requires reboot of virtual machine after upgrade
VMware Tools is backward compatible with other ESXi versions
Virtual Hardware
Upgrade recommended but not mandatory
Requires virtual machine to be shutdown prior to upgrade
Ensure VMware Tools is upgraded first
Virtual Hardware is not backward compatible with other ESXi versions
Do not upgrade virtual hardware until all upgrade testing is completed
For replicated VMs, ensure the virtual 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 AnnouncementsAUGUST 28 – SEPTEMBER 1, 2016
@VMware #VMworld#migrate2vcsa
Who to Follow @ Adam Eckerle @eck79
Emad Younis @Emad_Younis
Kyle Ruddy @kmruddy
William Lam @lamw
Blair Fritz @TheVMBlair
Brian Graf @vBrianGraf
Ryan Johnson @tenthirtyam
What to Follow # #INF9944 - What’s new with vCenter Server
#INF9047 - Managing vSphere 6.0 Deployments and Upgrades
#INF9044 - Journey to the vCenter Server Appliance
#INF9083 - Ask the vCenter Server Experts Panel
#INF8260 - Automated Deployment and Configuration of the vCenter Server Appliance
#INF8225 - The vCenter Server and Platform Services Controller Guide to the Galaxy