AOMEI Cyber Backup
Reduce Downtime Upgrade vCenter with Instant Recovery
What is the reduce downtime upgrade in vCenter? This approach will deploy a new vCenter Server Appliance, in an ideal condition will reduce the downtime to less than 5 minutes.
By Amelia / Updated on November 8, 2024
vCenter is the core management tool for vSphere and is critical for managing virtual machines, networking, high availability, and storage, but vCenter upgrades are complex and can be disruptive. Therefore, to minimize downtime for upgrades, an instant recovery tool can be used to ensure a seamless upgrade.
Key Challenges in vCenter Upgrades
1. System Compatibility and Configuration
Upgrading may require configuration changes and compatibility checks with existing VMware products and third-party integrations.
2. Complexity and Risks of Upgrade
Upgrades may involve database migrations, reconfigurations, or changes to the management network, each of which carries a risk of failure.
3. Time-Consuming Recovery Process
If an upgrade fails and needs to be rolled back, traditional recovery methods can be slow, causing extended downtime and disrupting business operations.
The Reduce Downtime Upgrade Process in vCenter
The upgrade process for reducing downtime utilizes a migration-based approach. The following are the steps for upgrading with reduced downtime.
Step 1. Download and mount the ISO
The ISO should be downloaded to the Content Library or Datastore linked to the vCenter Virtual Machine or the managing vCenter's content library. Navigate to the properties of the vCenter Server Virtual Machine. Connect the VCSA ISO to CD-ROM by browsing the datastore/content library. Select the Connected checkbox and click OK.
Step 2. Check the Upgrade Compatible
In the vCenter Server section, click Upgrade, and the process will check and confirm your upgrade path is supported, then click Next.
Step 3. During the Upgrade
Confirm you have a backup, and click Next. Then click Upgrade Plug-in > Run Pre-Check to make sure everything will work. After configuring the pre-check, click Next.
Then click Configure Target Appliance to deploy the target VM. In the target VM deployment, you need to configure: License Agreement, CEIP, Target Location, Deployment Type, VM Appliance details, and Network Settings. After completing, click FINISH.
Step 4. Upgrade to new version
You can choose Manual Switchover or Automated Switchover, and click Start Upgrade.
Benefits of Implementing Instant Restore During a vCenter Upgrade
1. Pre-upgrade backups
Before you begin the upgrade, back up the vCenter Server Appliance (VCSA). This backup will serve as a recovery point if something goes wrong.
2. Begin the Upgrade with Instant Restore on Standby
Begin the vCenter upgrade when you have the Instant Restore tool ready. Closely monitor the upgrade process and schedule IT to initiate a recovery if any issues arise.
3. Monitor and Test
When performing upgrades, test critical features to ensure that the environment is stable, and immediately initiate an instant restore process if an issue affects the availability of vCenter or causes it to crash.
Instant Recovery Tool Helps Reduce Downtime
A powerful, turnkey recovery tool that offers you a variety of services to maximize seamless upgrades and minimize downtime during vCenter upgrades. AOMEI Cyber Backup is professional, backup and turnkey recovery software designed to keep your data safe. You can also use it to backup important data before upgrading. With it as a critical failsafe, you can perform the upgrade with confidence.
Click the below button to download the free AOMEI Cyber Backup.
How to Configure Instant Restore
Step 1. Navigate to Source Device > VMware > + Add VMware Device to open the Add Device Page. Then enter Device Information and User Information, and click Confirm.
Step 2. Click Backup Task to Create New Task, and select VMware ESXi Backup as the Backup Type. Then set up the Task Name, Device Name, Target, and Schedule.
Step 3. You can choose to Add the schedule and start backup now or Add the schedule only, then click Start Backup.
Step 4. Navigate to Task > + New Instant Restore to have an instant recovery. You can choose to Restore from task or Restore from local path.
Step 5. When opening the New Instant Recovery page, you need to select the virtual machine you want to restore, and then select the target device, and set the hardware configuration and task name. Then click Start Restore.
Step 6. When the instant restore is complete, you can choose to Start Migration to restore the VM to the production environment when the production environment resumes to normal.
FAQs about vCenter Upgrade
Q: What is the downtime during the vCenter Server upgrade?
A: The upgrade requires vCenter Server to be out of production for a minimum of 40 to 50 minutes, and can take much longer depending on the size of the database. The database scheme upgrade takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes of this time. This estimate does not include host reconnection time after the upgrade.
Q: How do I stop a vCenter upgrade?
A: Click the Cancel upgrade button, and the upgrade will be cancelled and can be triggered again.
Q: Can I downgrade the vCenter version?
A: What you can do is delete the vCenter VM and restore the v7 VM from the backup you made just before you upgraded.
Conclusion
The use of instant recovery tools can minimize downtime, enable successful vCenter Server upgrades, and ensure business continuity for VMware environments.
