Upgrade

Determine Your Current VMware Infrastructure Deployment Scenario

Before starting down the path to VMware vSphere, it is worth taking some time to determine what your current VMware Infrastructure deployment scenario looks like with respect to the setup of VMware vCenter and how it is configured to support VI3 Clusters with Resource Pools, VMware HA and VMware DRS. Here we present a mapping of the supported VMware Infrastructure deployment scenarios with respect to VMware vCenter and storage for your boot volume and virtual machine datastores. The tactical steps that you will follow for the three phases associated with the VMware vSphere migration will be identical for all the deployment scenarios depicted in the diagram.

The Migration Path to VMware vSphere

Phase 1: Complete the upgrade of the VMware vCenter Server along with VMware Update Manager. VMware Converter Enterprise and VMware Guided Consolidation are two additional components that can be installed along with their respective VMware vCenter Client plug-in.

Phase 2: Choose from three VMware ESX migration methods. The three options are: VMware Update Manager, Host Update Utility or Clean Install of VMware ESX 4.

Phase 3: Complete the upgrade of your Virtual Machines by first upgrading VMware Tools, followed by the upgrade of the Virtual Hardware from version 4 to version 7.

VMware vSphere Licensing is not designated as a specific phase in the VMware vSphere Migration, as you have the choice to introduce VMware vSphere licensing immediately after Phase 1 is completed, or at any point while working on Phases 2 and 3.

How Do I Upgrade?

The four part video series (below) details the transition to VMware vSphere from VMware Infrastructure 3 (VI3), covering the VMware VirtualCenter management components, the VMware ESX host migration methods, the virtual machine upgrades (VMware Tools and virtual hardware) and implementing the VMware vSphere licensing.

Step-by-Step Migration Videos

Part 1 of 4 VMware VirtualCenter Management Components

Part 2 of 4 VMware ESX Host Migration Methods

Part 3 of 4 Virtual Machine Upgrades (VMware Tools and Virtual Hardware)

Part 4 of 4 Implementing VMware vSphere Licensing

What Can I Upgrade To?

Special Upgrade Promotions for Existing VMware Infrastructure Customers

Existing VMware Infrastructure 3 customers with active subscription contracts are automatically entitled to VMware vSphere 4 editions mapped to your existing VMware Infrastructure 3 license. In addition to the new features and capabilities provided through subscription services, VMware is offering limited time promotions to upgrade to new VMware vSphere editions:

• VMware Infrastructure 3 Standard to VMware vSphere 4 Advanced: At less than 50% of the upgrade list price, customers can add key features such as live migration with VMware VMotion, continuous availability, network security zoning, and data protection. Suggested US list price: $745 per processor
• VMware Infrastructure 3 Enterprise to VMware vSphere 4 Enterprise Plus: At less than 50% of the upgrade list price, customers can add key features such as dynamic resource allocation, power management, live migration, the distributed switch, and host configuration controls. Suggested US list price: $295 per processor

Note: VMware vSphere upgrade promotions will be available for sale on May 21, 2009. Special promotion pricing ends on December 15, 2009.

Licensing

Please contact VPM Global Internet Services, Inc. for more details on vSphere licensing:

• Phone: 707-451-4816
• Email: mcs@vpm.com