VMware has made updating the vCSA (vCenter Server Appliance) very easy – and with the popularity of the vCSA growing daily, its a good thing.

First thing is first, we want to update our vCSA 5.1 appliance to the latest build of 5.1.

• Log into the admin webpage of the console https://vCSA_Name_or_IP:5480
• Click on the Update tab
• Click Check Updates
• Click Install Updates

• Verify after the update that you are on the latest build

At this point, we are ready to start the upgrade process from 5.1 to 5.5.  It should be noted that this is not an “upgrade” but actually an install and reconfigure. What I mean is that we are actually deploying a new appliance, and the upgrade process automates moving the database, and settings over to the new appliance – including networking settings.  So, in the end, our new 5.5 vCSA will be powered on with all our data, and the old 5.1 vCSA will be powered off, ready to be deleted.

The Upgrade:

• First, we will deploy the OVA file.  I won’t go over deploying the OVF template, since it’s a fairly easy process.
• One deployed, power on the new 5.5 vCenter Appliance
• Note the IP address (assuming DHCP) and log into the management page for the appliance – https://5.5-vCSA-IP:5480
• The vCenter Server Setup Wizard will start – Select “Upgrade from previous version” and choose next.

• At this point, we need to exchange keys between the 2 appliances.
  • On the 5.5 vCSA, copy the key that is generated
  • Paste this key into the import dialog box on the old 5.1 server
  • The 5.1 server will generate a key – paste that key into the new 5.5 vCSA

• Click Next, and choose to generate new SSL Certificates (unless you are using custom certificates)

• Choose Next, and type in a new (or the same) SSO admin password

• On the next screen, we choose what hosts will be managed by the new appliance. Select all the hosts to start the upgrade checker.

• The following screen will report on any host problems that may be preventing an upgrade.

At this point, we are ready to start the upgrade.  Make sure to take a SNAPSHOT of the current vCSA 5.1 server.  If for some reason the upgrade does not complete, both vCSA appliances will be in an unusable state. Reverting back to the snapshot will be the recovery method should that happen.

• Check the box to confirm that you have taken a snapshot, and click start.

•  The server proceeds with the upgrade, and gives no additional feedback until complete.
• To monitor the progress,  SSH into the 5.1 vCSA server, and type:

tail -f /var/log/vmware/vami/upgrade.log

• Once completed, the wizard will display the successful message.

The 5.1 vCSA appliance will shutdown, and the new 5.5 vCSA will reboot, and be configured with the same IP address, and all data.  It may take a longer time for all the services to start for the first time on the new appliance.