After vSphere 5.5 release, users of VDP might look for How to upgrade VDP? The latest update of vSphere Data Protection (VDP 5.5.1) brought new features and enhancements that I have reported on in my article here – VMware VDP 5.5 and VDP Advanced – With a DR for VDP.
You might already knew that VDP uses Avamar's technology of variable length deduplication which is more efficient, or that you can newly re-install system (if problems) without loosing the DB with backups in VDP 5.5. Also concerning the dependency on vCenter server, it's possible to restore failed vCenter server VM by connecting directly to VDP 5.5 and do an emergency restore of your vCenter server. Today we'll have a look at How to upgrade from VDP 5 to VDP 5.5.1
If you do not know VDP as a product at all, you can check out my VDP 5.0 install/config serie details. This serie starts here and gives you all necessary info how to plan, deploy, configure and use VDP product.
What's been Improved in VDP 5.5.1?
- Disk level Granularity – allows backup/restore individual VMDK (virtual disks).
- Restore directly with ESXi (if vCenter is not available) – by going to https://<ip_of_vdp>/vdp-configure you can access to Emergency restore tab where you can trigger restores. (VDR had this feature too).
- Detachable/remountable data partitions – for DR scenarios of VDP
- Replication to the cloud – off site backups
- Time-of-day scheduling – schedule backup to be triggered exactly when you want
- Removal of the blackout window
How to upgrade VDP 5.x to VDP 5.5.1
- First, you need a VDP upgrade ISO which is possible to download from within your VMware account. (note it's not available for trials). Attach this ISO to the VDP appliance, because if you don't you can't do the upgrade. Reboot the VDP virtual machine with the ISO attached at boot.
- Shut down the VDP VM and take a snapshot.
- Strat up the VDP VM again with the upgrade ISO connected.
- Connect to the VDP admin interface through https://<ip_of_vdp>:8543/vdp-configure and go to Upgrade TAB.
- Make sure that the maintenance services are stopped…..
(you see, if you don't have the ISO attached, you'll get this screen…)
With the ISO attached, it's something different now…
- Make sure that all the services are running.
- Wait for the ISO to mount (I had to wait 4-5 min !!!!!).
- Click on the message to select the upgrade and the click upgrade VDP. But according to the Admin Guide this is normal. Otherwise there is no message….
- Now VDP is performing an Integrity check, and preparing packages for installation.
Actually, it goes quite fast. The message saying that it could take up to 4 hours was quite scary, but as my VDP haven't had many VMs (or backups) configured, the upgrade process takes less time.
- After upgrade is complete, delete the snapshot and disconnect the upgrade ISO.
- You're done!
Depending of the VDP you're upgrading from the procedure might differ slightly. Check the VDP 5.5 Admin Guide for details as there is also a nice table of supported paths. (click to enlarge). This is also because of VDP Advanced (paid version) which has brought more advanced (paid) capabilities and features like:
- Replication
- Data Domain integration
- Exchange message-level recovery
- SharePoint integration
- Automated backup verification
Conclusion? Passed !
Note: My virtual disks (I had 4 VMDKs) were not all in independent-persistent mode (not affected by snapshots), but only the 3 data disks. The system disk was configured as Dependent. (Included in snapshots) So I was able to do a snapshot. If this is not your case, or if you're not sure, you better RTFM… -:)
VDP upgrade must be done outside of the maintenance window. It means that you must reschedule existing backups or wait when no backups are running.
Note: If you're running more than one VDP appliance (8TB of data per appliance in VDP 5.5), while upgrading you might see two plugins – one for 5.x and second one for 5.5. You might have to disable the VDP 5.x plugin. Again, it's in the manual, it's a must read doc, especially when VDP is your production backup system.
After upgrade you'll see two VDP plugins in vCenter. ( Even if you don't have other VDP appliances in your environment = My case). This is normal behavior as you need the old plugin just for the managing the rest of your VDP appliances which weren't upgraded yet.
Not to worry about. Just go and click the Home button > Administration > Client Plugins > Right click the VDP 5.0 or 5.1 plugin to disable it.
Hey, nice Storage view…
I think this is new as I can't remember this view concerning the storage. You can see how much storage is used and which disks are attached to the VDP appliance.
Here are some URLs when managing/using/recovering the VDP product:
- configuration: https://<ip_of_vdp>:8543/vdp-configure
- management: https://vcenter_IP>:9443/vsphere-client
- FLR (file level restore) portal: https://>vdp_IP>:8543/flr
- Login/password (defaults): root/changeme
Note: When using emergency restore, you can see not only the vCenter VM (if you backed up previously) but also other VMs.. In my case I only have single backup of one single VM, because I've setup the VDP 5.0 yesterady to be able to do the writeup for upgrade to 5.5 release….
Links: VDP 5.5 Admin Guide at pubs.vmware.com URL which has all vSphere and vCloud Suite Documentation sets.
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