VMware vCenter 4.1 upgrade

[Brian Norman]

I just wanted to pass on my experiences performing the vCenter server 4.0 to 4.1 upgrade (NOT ESXi upgrade).  4.1 requires a 64 bit host, which I did not have for my VCserver 4.0, so my job went something like this.

 

1. Create new VM and load server 2008 R2.  Install all updates and add to domain.

2. Download the vCenter server from here.

3. Download and READ the vCenter 4.1 upgrade guide from here.  Chapter 5 covers migrating your database.

4. Copy the "datamigration" folder from the the vCenter 4.1 ISO to your old vCenter 4.0 server.  Follow the instructions from the guide on how to backup your database using the "backup.bat" method.

5. Copy the backed up database from the 4.0 server to the 4.1 server.

6. Run the "install.bat" folder from the "datamigration" folder.  This will install vCenter server 4.1 and magically import your old database.

 

Wow, looks easy now, but of course the upgrade guide makes you jump all over the place.  The end result was a fully functional vCenter 4.1 server with all your configurations in place.

 

I hope this helps others trying to upgrade.

Brian