vSphere / VxRail/vSAN

Upgrade of VMware vCenter 6.5 U2 to vCenter 6.7 U3

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I recently had the pleasure of upgrading one of my older environments running VMware vCenter 6.5 U2 to vCenter 6.7 U3 and thought i would share my experience. I know a lot of people who are planning for this upgrade by the end of the year so I hope this helps everyone out.

If you came to this article by mistake and looking for a way to upgrade your vCenter from 6.7 or 6.7 U1 or 6.7 U2 or 6.7 U3 to 6.7 U3f please view my other blog article:
https://digitalthoughtdisruption.com/2020/04/11/how-to-upgrade-vmware-vcenter-6-7-u1-u2-u3-to-6-7-u3f/

Prerequisites

  • Need temp FQDN & IP with valid DNS registration for deployment process, will be released when upgrade completes.
  • If vCenter Server Appliance uses an external Update Manager instance, you must run the Migration Assistant on the Update Manager machine.
  • Your source and target ESXi hosts must not be in lockdown or maintenance mode, and not part of fully automated DRS clusters.
  • Review your environment’s Certificate Authority (CA) signed SSL certificates.
  • ESXi hosts must be at version 6.0 or later.
  • Check VMware interoperability for all external components: https://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/sim/interop_matrix.php

Food for thought:

  • 6.7 disables the TLS 1.0 and 1.1 protocols for improved security.

**Warning**
If you have VxRail — Due vCenter API changes in 6.7 you must be at VxRail 4.0.520 / VxRail 4.5.215 or later prior to upgrading your vCenter to 6.7 U1 or later. If you are below these minimums then upgrade your VxRail first followed by your vCenter.

Step 1. Take a snapshot or a clone of your existing vCenter server
I personally like to take a clone, some prefer a snapshot, others a backup.

Step 2. Deploy new VCSA Appliance

Machine generated alternative text: vCenter Server Appliance 6.7 Installer Install Install a new vCenter Server Appliance or Platform Services Controller Upgrade upgrade an existing vCenter Sewer Appliance or Platform Services Controller Appliance Migrate Migrate from an existing vCenter Server or Platform Sewices Controller or Single Sign-On server for Windows to Appliance g English v Restore Restore from a previously created vCenter Server Appliance or Platform Sewices Controller Appliance backup

Select Upgrade —- DO NOT SELECT INSTALL!

Machine generated alternative text: Upgrade - Stage 1: Deploy appliance Stage 2 upgrade surce appliar-ze Introduction This installer allows you to upgrade vCenter Server Appliance (6.0 or 6_5), or Platform Services Controller 6_0 or 6.5 to version 6.7. Stage 1 Deploy appliance 1 Introduction 2 End user license agreement 3 Connect to source appliance 4 Appliance deployment target 5 Set up target appliance VM 6 Select deployment size 7 Select datastore 8 Configure network settings 9 Ready to complete stage 1 upgrading the appliance is a two stage process. The first stage involves deploying a new appliance to the target vCenter server or ESXi host. The second stage completes the upgrade process by copying data from the source appliance to the deployed appliance. Make sure you have backed up all data on the source appliance before starting with the upgrade process_ Click Next, to proceed with stage 1. CANCEL NEXT

Next

Machine generated alternative text: Upgrade - Stage 1: Deploy appliance End user license agreement Read and accept the following license agreement. VMWARE END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT PLEASE NOTE THAT THE TERMS OF THIS END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT SHALL GOVERN YOUR USE OF THE SOFTWARE, REGARDLESS OF ANY TERMS THAT MAY APPEAR DURING THE INSTALLATION OF THE SOFTWARE. IMPORTANT-READ CAREFULLY: BY DOWNLOADING, INSTALLING, OR USING THE SOFTWARE, YOU (THE INDIVIDUAL OR LEGAL ENTITY) AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS OF THIS END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT ("EULA"). IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THE TERMS OF THIS EULA, YOU MUST NOT DOWNLOAD, INSTALL, OR USE THE SOFTWARE, AND YOU MUST DELETE OR RETURN THE UNUSED SOFTWARE TO THE VENDOR FROM WHICH YOU ACQUIRED IT WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS AND REQUEST A REFUND OF THE LICENSE FEE, IF ANY, THAT YOU PAID FOR THE SOFTWARE EVALUATION LICENSE. If You are licensing the Software for evaluation purposes, Your use of the Software is only permitted in a non-production environment and for the period limited by the License Key. Notwithstanding any other provision in this EULA, an Evaluation License of the Software is provided "AS-IS" without indemnification, support or warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. 1. DEFINITIONS. 1.1 "Affiliate" means, with respect to a party at a given time, an entity that then is directly or indirectly controlled by, is under common control with, or controls that party, and here "control" means an ownership, voting or similar 1 Introduction 2 End user license agreement 3 Connect to source appliance 4 Appliance deployment target 5 Set up target appliance VM 6 Select deployment size 7 Select datastore 8 Configure network settings 9 Ready to complete stage 1 @ I accept the terms of the license agreement. CANCEL BACK NEXT

Accept the License Agreement and then next

Machine generated alternative text: Upgrade - Stage 1: Deploy appliance Connect to source appliance Provide the details for the source appliance that you want to upgrade: vCenter Server or Platform Services Controller. Source appliance Appliance FODN or P address Appliance HTTPS port CONNECT TO SOURCE 1 Introduction 2 End user license agreement 3 Connect to source appliance 4 Appliance deployment target 5 Setup target appliance VM 6 Select deployment size 7 Select datastore 8 Configure network settings 9 Ready to complete stage 1

Enter the information for the Source (Original) VCSA Appliance

Machine generated alternative text: Connecting to source server...
Machine generated alternative text: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Introduction End user license agreement Connect to source appliance Appliance deployment target Set up target appliance VM Select deployment size Select datastore Configure network settings Ready to complete stage 1 Upgrade - Stage 1: Deploy appliance CANCEL BACK NEXT Connect to source appliance Provide the details for the source appliance that you want to upgrade: vCenter Server or Platform Services Controller. Source appliance Appliance FODN or P address Appliance HTTPS port SSO User name SSO Password Appliance (OS) root password ESXi host or vCenter Server that manages the source appliance ESXi host or vCenter Sewer name H-r-rps port user name Password dalprdesxvic02freemancocom CONNECT TO SOURCE administrator. ar Address root or LlserName4DomainNarne

Enter the source (original) Username and password and root password
Enter the standalone ESXi host or vCenter server that manages your source (original) appliance

Machine generated alternative text: Certificate Warning If an untrusted SSL certificate is installed on dalprdesxvic02.freemanco.com or dalprdesxvicol.freemanco_com, secure communication cannot be guaranteed. Depending on your security policy, this issue might not represent a security concern. The SHAI thumbprints of the certificates are: and To accept and continue, click Yes YES

Yes

Machine generated alternative text: Upgrade - Stage 1: Deploy vCenter Server Appliance with an Embedded Platform Services Controller CANCEL BACK NEXT Appliance deployment target Specify the appliance deployment target settings. The target is the ESXi host or vCenter Server instance on which the appliance will be deployed. 1 Introduction 2 End user license agreement 3 Connect to source appliance 4 Appliance deployment target 5 Set up target appliance VM 6 Select deployment size 7 Select datastore 8 Configure network settings 9 Ready to complete stage 1 SXi host or vCenter Server name H-rrps port user name Password or IP Address root or LlserName4DomainName

This is where you enter the standalone ESXi or vCenter that will manage the new vCenter appliance

Enter username and password of the ESXi or vCenter

Machine generated alternative text: Upgrade - Stage 1: Deploy vCenter Server Appliance with an Embedded Platform Services Controller Select folder 1 Introduction Select a datacenter or VM folder to create the appliance VM in 2 End user license agreement v dalprdesxvic01.freemanco.com 3 Connect to source appliance Dallas 4 Appliance deployment target 5 Select folder 6 Select compute resource 7 Set up target appliance VM 8 Select deployment size 9 Select datastore 10 Configure network settings 11 Ready to complete stage 1 CANCEL BACK NEXT

Select the folder to deploy the new appliance in – I always put it in the folder of the original

Machine generated alternative text: Loading... This may take a few minutes
Machine generated alternative text: Upgrade - Stage 1: Deploy vCenter Server Appliance with an Embedded Platform Services Controller BACK NEXT Select compute resource Select the compute resource to deploy the appliance Dallas 101 CITRIX 101 Non PCI_App 101 PCI MGMT 101 Non-pa DMZ stack 101 PCI DMZ 101 PROD PCI App Non-PCI App stack CANCEL 1 Introduction 2 End user license agreement 3 Connect to source appliance 4 Appliance deployment target 5 Select folder 6 Select compute resource 7 Set up target appliance VM 8 Select deployment size 9 Select datastore 10 Configure network settings 11 Ready to complete stage 1

Select the compute resource you want to place the new appliance – I always put it in the cluster of the original

Machine generated alternative text: Upgrade - Stage 1: Deploy vCenter Server Appliance with an Embedded Platform Services Controller Set up target appliance VM Specify the VM settings for the appliance to be deployed. VM name Set root password Confirm root password dalprdesxvic01a.freemanco.com 1 Introduction 2 End user license agreement 3 Connect to source appliance 4 Appliance deployment target 5 Select folder 6 Select compute resource 7 Set up target appliance VM 8 Select deployment size 9 Select datastore 10 Configure network settings 11 Ready to complete stage 1 CANCEL BACK NEXT

This is where you enter the temp name or IP

Remember to enter your source (original) appliance username/password as it is not copied over during the migration

Machine generated alternative text: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Introduction End user license agreement Connect to source appliance Appliance deployment target Select folder Select compute resource Set up target appliance VM Select deployment size Select datastore Upgrade - Stage 1: Deploy vCenter Server Appliance with an Embedded Platform Services Controller Storage (GB) Hosts (up to) 10 100 400 1000 2000 VMs (up to) 629 100 1000 4000 10000 35000 CANCEL Select deployment size Select the deployment size for this vCenter Server with an Embedded Platform Services Controller. For more information on deployment sizes, refer to the vSphere 6.7 documentation. 699 825 870 1025 1090 1230 Deployment size Storage size Resources required for different deployment sizes 10 16 24 32 48 Large Large Memory (GB) Deployment Size Source machine Tiny Small Medium Large X-Large vcpus 2 4 8 16 24 10 Configure network settings 11 Ready to complete stage 1 BACK NEXT

Pick the size of the appliance to fit your environment.

Machine generated alternative text: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Introduction End user license agreement Connect to source appliance Appliance deployment target Select folder Select compute resource Set up target appliance VM Select deployment size Select datastore Upgrade - Stage 1: Deploy vCenter Server Appliance with an Embedded Platform Services Controller 1.007B GB 282 TB Provisioned 1.02 TB 5.1B TB 25 Thin Provisioning Supported Supported Supported 16 items NEXT Select datastore Select the storage location for this appliance Capacity Name DALPRD-PCI-MGMT-AES-NIM-RPL -v0101 DALPRD-PCI-MGMT-AES-NW-NO RPL-VOIOI DALPRD-PCI-MGMT-AES-NIM-NO RPL-V0102 Enable Thin Disk Mode Type VMFS-S VMFS-6 VMFS-6 10 Configure network settings 11 Ready to complete stage 1 CANCEL BACK

Select the datastore you want the new appliance to be deployed on

Machine generated alternative text: Upgrade - Stage 1: Deploy vCenter Server Appliance with an Embedded Platform Services Controller Configure network settings Configure network settings for this appliance Network Temporary network settings Ip version P assignment Temporany P address Subnet mask or prefix length Default gateway DNS servers PCIMgn-,t I pv4 static 1 Introduction 2 End user license agreement 3 Connect to source appliance 4 Appliance deployment target 5 Select folder 6 Select compute resource 7 Setup target appliance VM 8 Select deployment size 9 Select datastore 10 Configure network settings 11 Ready to complete stage 1 CANCEL BACK NEXT

Finish filling in the network information of the new appliance

Machine generated alternative text: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Introduction End user license agreement Connect to source appliance Appliance deployment target Select folder Select compute resource Set up target appliance VM Select deployment size Select datastore Upgrade - Stage 1: Deploy vCenter Server Appliance with an Embedded Platform Services Controller dalprdesxvic02freemancocom dalprdesxvic01freemancocom dalprdesxvic01afreemanco.com vCenter Server with an Embedded Platform Services Controller Large Large Dallas PCI MGMT DALPRD-PCI-MGMT-AES-NIM-NORPL-VOIOI, thin 10 17+4.0-24 PCIMgmt IPv4 , static 10 255.2552550 10 10 17.990 CANCEL BACK FINISH Ready to complete stage 1 Review your settings before starting the appliance deployment. Deployment Details Source vCenter Server with an Embedded Platform Services Controller Target vCenter Server VM name Deployment type Deployment size Storage size Datacenter Details Datacenter Compute resource Datastore Details Datastore, Disk mode Network Details Network IP settings IP address Subnet mask or prefix length Default gateway DNS servers 10 Configure network settings 11 Ready to complete stage 1

Confirm all the information is correct and click finish

Machine generated alternative text: Upgrade - Stage 1: Deploy vCenter Server Appliance with an Embedded Platform Services Controller 0% Initializing... CANCEL
Machine generated alternative text: Upgrade - Stage 1: Deploy vCenter Server Appliance with an Embedded Platform Services Controller Deploying the appliance CANCEL
Machine generated alternative text: Upgrade - Stage 1: Deploy vCenter Server Appliance with an Embedded Platform Services Controller Waiting for RPM installation to start. This may take several minutes... CLOSE
Machine generated alternative text: Upgrade - Stage 1: Deploy vCenter Server Appliance with an Embedded Platform Services Controller Installed VMware-TlsReconfigurator-6.7.O-14367737.x86 64.rpm 90% CLOSE

Step 3 / Stage 2 – Migrate old VCSA persona to new VCSA

Machine generated alternative text: 2 3 4 S Upgrade - Stage 2: vCenter Server Appliance witn an Embedded Platform Services Controller Introduction Introduction This wizard ellows you to upgrtde a vCenter Server Applience (6.0 or 6.5) with tn Connect to source vCenter Sew embedded Pletform Services Controller. Select upgrede deta Stege Configure CEIP Reedy to complete Deploy nev.,• vCenter Server Applience Stege 2 Upgrede source vCenter Server Applience Upgreding the epplitnce is e two st-ge process. The first st-ge hes been completed. The second stege copies date from the source vCenter Server Applience to the deployed applience. Make sure you heve backed up dete on the source appliance before orogressing with the uvgrade Click Next. to oroceed with stage 2 CANCEL NEXT

Next

Machine generated alternative text: vrn Upgrade - Stage 2: vCenter Server Appliance with an Emöecdcded Platform Services Controller Connect to source vCenter Server troducti( Source '*Center Server cr l! z"prdesx ic02.freemtn Connect to source vCenter Ser„ ;elect Ipgrede dete anfigure CEL Qeel completé Pre-upgrade checks ere in progress ESXi host or vCenter Server that manages the source vCenter Server ESX7 host ( - vCenter Ser'* nerne T7PS ANCE BACK

Fix any errors or document any warnings from the check

Machine generated alternative text: 2 3 4 S Upgrade - Stage 2: vCenter Server Appliance witn an Embedded Platform Services Controller Select upgrade data Introduction Select the deta thet you went to copy from the source vCenter Server. Connect to source vCenter Sew The dete sizes shown below represent only the date thet will be copied to the terget Select upgrade data server. It does not correspond to the ectuel size of your dete on the source server. The identity of the server will also be copied and the source server will remein unchenged. Configure CEIP O Configuration (3.06 6B) Estimated downtime: 39 minutes Reedy to complete Configuration and historical data (events and tasks) (4.28 GB) O Configuration and historical data (events, tasks and performance metrics) (4.6 6B) CANCEL BACK NEXT

I select the configuration and historical data.

Machine generated alternative text: 2 3 4 S Introduction Connect to source vCenter Sew Select upgrede deta configure CEP Reedy to complete Upgrade - Stage 2: vCenter Server Appliance witn an Embedded Platform Services Controller configure CEP Join the VMwtre Customer Experience Improvement Progrem VMware's Customer Experience Improvement Program ("CEIP") prov'ides VMware with informetion that enables VMwere to improve its products end services, to fix problems, end to tdvise you on how best to deploy end use our products. As pert of the CEIP, VMwere collects technicel informttion —bout your organizetion's use of VMwere products and services on a reguler besis in essocietion with your orgtnizetion's VMwtre license key(s). This informetion does not personally identify tny individuel. Addition-I information regerding the deta collected thfl3ugh CEIP end the purposes for which it is used by VMware is set forth in the Trust & Assurtnce Center at http://www.vmwere.com/trustvmware/ceip_html. f you prefer not to participete in VMwere's CEIP for this p&uct, you should uncheck the box below You mey join or leave VMware's CEIP for this product et -ny time. Joining CEIP will Elso eneble vSphere Health end if you htve vSAN, VSAN Join the VMware's Customer Experience Improvement Program (CEIP) NEXT CANCEL BACK

Join the CEIP

Machine generated alternative text: 2 3 4 S Upgrade - Stage 2: vCenter Server Appliance witn an Embedded Platform Services Controller Ready to complete Review settings before completing the wiz—rd. Source vCenter Server Appliance with embedded PSC Introduction Connect to source vCenter Sew Select upgrede deta Configure CEIP Reedy to complete FQDN or IP eddress Version delprdesxvic02freemtnco.com Target vCenter Server Appliance with embedded PSC FQDN or IP eddress (temporery) FQDN or IP eddress (post-upgrtde) Version Upgrade Data Dete to copy Size 10.17.S4_26 delprdesxvic02freemtnco.com 6.7.0.40000 Configuration end historic—I dete (events end tasks) 4.28 Ga Customer Experience Improvement Program CEIP setting Opted in I have backed up the source vCenter Server and all the required data from the database. CANCEL BACK FINISH

Confirm the configuration is correct and then click finish and let the fun begin

OK

Machine generated alternative text: Upgrade Stage 2: Data transfer and appliance setup is in progress 1. Copy data trom source vCenter Server to target vCenter Server Preparing source system for exporting dete._. 2. Set up target vCenter Server and start services 3. Import copied data to target vCenter Server
Machine generated alternative text: Upgrade Stage 2: Data transfer and appliance setup is in progress 1. Copy data trom source vCenter Server to target vCenter Server E xporting dete from source system_._ 2. Set up target vCenter Server and start services 3. Import copied data to target vCenter Server
Machine generated alternative text: Upgrade Stage 2: Data transfer and appliance setup is in progress 1. Copy data trom source vCenter Server to target vCenter Server 2. Set up target vCenter Server and start services Starting VMwere Postgres._. 3. Import copied data to target vCenter Server
Machine generated alternative text: Messages Informetion i Informetion i If using Auto Deploy, update the DHCP settings end updete the TFTP settings with the new set of tremp files from the new Auto Deploy server _ vSphere 6.7 disebles the TLS 1.0 end TLS protocols for improved security Note: Some epplications might support only the older protocols. To revert to the less secure TLS 10 end TLS pn3tocols, run the TLS Reconfiguretor tool. Tool location: vCenter Server Applience: /usr/lib/vmware- TlsReconfigurttor/VcTlsReconfigurttor vCenter Server on Windows: %VMWARE CIS HOME%XTIsReconfiguretorWcTIsReconfigur See for deteils_ CLOSE
Machine generated alternative text: Upgrade Stage 2 Complete 1. Copy data trom source vCenter Server to target vCenter Server 2. Set up target vCenter Server and start services 3. Import copied data to target vCenter Server 100% Complete Deta trensfer end eppliance setup hes been completed successfully. Click on the link below to get sterted_ Press close to exit. Appliance Getting Sterted peg e httpsWdelprdesxvic02freemenco.com:443 CLOSE

Click on the URL link to go to the login page

Machine generated alternative text: xmware• Getting Started The vSphere Flash-based Web Client is deprecated in vSpnere 6.7 _ We recommend switching to the all-new modern HTML5-based vSphere client as the primary client and only reverting to the Flash-based Web Client when necessary. LAUNCH VSPHERE CLIENT (HTML5) LAUNCH VSPHERE WEB CLIENT (FLEX) Documentation VMware vSphere Documentation Center Functionality Updates for the vSphere Client (HTML5) Deprecated

Enjoy the new HTML-5 feature rich UI

Machine generated alternative text: VMware@ vSphere example@domain.local Password El use Windows session authentication LOGIN

Login with your credentials.

Summary:
It is a very lengthy process but a whole lot of sit and wait.  However, the features that come in 6.7 U3 are too good to wait on.  I hope everyone found this article useful.

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