P2P Session vCenter Server Migration from 2.5 to 4.0

P2P Session

vCenter Server Migrationfrom 2.5 to 4.0

Matt Mancini

12/10/09

Speaker Bios

Matt Mancini

Leader of the Phoenix VMUG

Server Room Administrator at John C Lincoln

20+ Years in IT

[email protected]

vCenter Server Migration

This is a basic guide that I used to create my new vCenter server 4.0 and migrate my ESX hosts to it.

Its not a complete guide, some areas not addressed are vCenter Security and overall setup.

This guide is for migration of ESX hosts and it abandons the database on the old Virtual Center Server.


Overview –

Old Virtual Center server 2.5

HP DL140, 2 x 80GB IDE Non-Raid, 4GB RAM, Dual CPU

Windows 2003, Virtual Center server 2.5, SQL 2000

New vCenter Server 4.0

HP DL360 G6, 3 x 146GB SAS Raid 5, 4GB RAM, 1 x Quad Core

Windows 2008, vCenter Server 4.0, SQL 2005

12 x ESX Hosts HP BL460c, 32GB RAM, 6NIC / 2 FC, ESX 3.5 U4


Basic Steps

1. Install new hardware, SQL2005, and vCenter Server

2. Migrate Hosts from old server to new

3. Test and ensure all is okay

References –Sysprep locations

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=1005593

PDF Guide for vCenter Server

http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_admin_guide.pdf

Video of VC 2.5 with SQL 2005

http://www.getyournerdon.com/chris/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=6

Moving a managed ESX host from one VirtualCenter to another VirtualCenter server

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=1004775


Install Hardware

Setup RAID 5 of 3 x 146GB HD’s

Update Firmware with HP Firmware Update CD

Install 2008 OS with HP Smart Start

>>OS C: Drive of 30GB

Data E: Drive of 240GB


Install SQL 2005

Step 1 – Watch this video and take good notes

http://www.getyournerdon.com/chris/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=6


Good SQL 2005 Install Notes from Video..

1. Install SQL 2005 and SQL2005 CD2 Management Tools on the vCenter server

• Install SQL2005 Service Packs and Updates

• During the SQL 2005 install ensure the Data is placed on the E: drive.

• Ensure network and network SQL Agent are installed and are running

• Ensure SQL 2005 is in Mixed Mode Authentication

• Ensure Remote and Named Pipes are enabled


SQL 2005 Settings for vCenter Server

2. Launch SQL Server Studio Manager

Create User vcdb

Click on security > Logins and create the user vcdb

Choose SQL Server Authentication then enter a password

Uncheck Enforce Password Expiration

Uncheck user must change password on next logon

On the left click on Server Roles

Choose sysadmin, then click on OK


Create the Database vcdb

Right Click on Databases > choose New Database

Enter the Name vcdb for the database name

Click on .... to add the owner / user of vcdb

On the left click on Options, choose simple for recovery mode

Choose OK at the bottom

Click on Security > logins > right click on vcdb choose properties

Change default database to vcdb


Create User vmupd

Click on security > Logins and create the user vmupd

Choose SQL Server Authentication then enter a password

Uncheck Enforce Password Expiration

Uncheck user must change password on next logon

On the left click on Server Roles

Choose sysadmin, then click on OK


Create the database vmupd

Right Click on Databases > choose New Database

Enter the Name vmupd for the database name

Click on .... to add the owner / user of vmupd

On the left click on Options, choose simple for recovery mode

Choose OK at the bottom

Click on Security > logins > right click on vmupd choose properties

Change default database to vmupd


3. Launch Data Source ODBC

Create System DSN for vcdb database

Click on System DSN Tab

Click on Add

Choose SQL Native Client

Enter the database name of vcdb

For Server Choose the local server name

Click on next


Choose With SQL Server Authentication

Ensure Connect to SQL is checked

Enter Login ID of vcdb and the password Click on Next

If this fails ensure SQL is Mixed mode Authentication

Ensure that Change the Default Database to is checked and vcdb appears below it, Click on Next

Choose Finish

Click on Test data source and look for TESTS COMPLETE SUCCESSFULLY!

Click on OK, then OK again


Create System DSN for vmupd database

Click on System DSN Tab

Click on Add

Choose SQL Native Client

Enter the database name of vmupd

For Server Choose the local server name

Click on next

Choose With SQL Server Authentication

Ensure Connected to SQL is checked


Enter Login ID of vmupd and the password Click on Next

If this fails ensure SQL is Mixed mode Authentication

Click on Next

Ensure that Change the Default Database to is checked and vmupd appears below it, Click on Next

Choose Finish

Click on Test data source and look for TESTS COMPLETE SUCCESSFULLY!

Click on OK, then OK again


vCenter Server 4.0 Install....

Load the 4.0 CD ROM and double click on Autorun

Choose vCenter Server to install

Choose OK to US

Choose OK to accept Web server Warning

Click on Next

Click on next to accept terms

Enter License Key and click on next


Choose ‘use an existing support database’

Choose the correct DSN

Click next

Enter the password for vcdb

Ensure the ‘Use the System Account’ is checked > click next

Click next to the default destination folder

Choose create a standalone VMware vCenter Server Instance

Ensure all the TCP Ports are okay

Adjust as needed

Click next

Click on Install

ESX Migration

Removing the ESX host from VirtualCenter

To remove the ESX host from VirtualCenter:

1.If the managed host is in a cluster, right-click the cluster. Set the DRS mode to manual and disable VMware High Availability by de-selecting Configure HA.

2.Click OK and wait for the reconfiguration to complete.

3.Click the Inventory button in the navigation bar, expand the inventory as needed, and click the appropriate managed host.

4.Right-click the managed host icon in the inventory panel and choose Disconnect (wait for the task to complete).

5.Right-click the managed host icon in the inventory panel and choose Remove.

6.Click Yes to confirm that you want to remove the managed host and all its associated virtual machines.

ESX Migration

ESX Migration

Adding the ESX host to a new VirtualCenter

To add the ESX host to a new VirtualCenter:

1.Connect VMware Infrastructure Client to the new VirtualCenter.

2.Click Inventory in the navigation bar.

3.Expand the inventory as needed, and click the appropriate datacenter or cluster.

4.Choose File > New > Add Host.

5.In the first page of the Add Host wizard, enter the name or IP address of the managed host in the Host name field.

6.Enter the username and password for a user account that has administrative privileges on the selected managed host.

7.Click Next.

ESX Migration

Migrate the Hosts from Old to new...

• On the old Virtual Center Server

• Disable HA & DRS to Manual on the Cluster

• Right click on the host to migrate choose

Disconnect

• Right click on the host to migrate choose

Remove

• Choose Yes to this message

ESX Migration

On the new vCenter Server

Right click on the cluster

Choose Add host

ESX Migration

Type in the host

Username / Password

Click on next

You might get a security

alert. Choose Yes

ESX Migration

Confirm Host

Confirm VM’s

Choose Next

ESX Migration

If this is your first host, choose the second radio button

Leave the default name of ‘Grafted from SERVER XXX’

Choose Next

ESX Migration

Confirm and Choose Finish to complete

ESX Migration

• Note that you server is now in inventory

• Note your VM’s are listed under

the grafted resource pool

• Just move the resource pools

to the root and you are set..

Repeat until all hosts are migrated..

Conclusions


SysPrep Files – Don’t forget to add these files to your new vCenter Server

For Windows 2008 place them here -


Issues and Notes

1. All Notes that were placed on VM’s will be lost on new server

2. All Performance data will be lost

3. Windows 2008 Service Packs, SP2 not supported..

4. Windows 2008 C: 30GB too small, 50GB better


Documents

P2P Session vCenter Server Migration from 2.5 to 4.0