VMware released vSphere 5.5 update 1 introducing some news and bug fixes. Procedure to upgrade vSphere 5.5 to 5.5 update 1 is pretty simple.
What’s new:
- vCloud Hybrid Service vSphere Client Plug-in is now available in vSphere Web Client.
- vCenter Server is now supported on Windows Server 2012 R2.
- This release delivers a number of bug fixes.
Full release notes can be found in this post.
To identify current installed version using vSphere Web Client, go to vCenter > Summary and check value reported in Version Information. In the example, vCenter Server version is 5.5 and build number is 1470327.
Upgrade VMware vCenter Single Sign-On
Run VMware vCenter Installer and select components to upgrade. For simple installations you can select Simple Install option and let the system performing the overall upgrade.
To better control every step, choose Custom Install and select item to upgrade. Select vCenter Single Sign-On then click Install button.
Wizard warnings you about an earlier version already installed on the computer. Click Next to continue.
Accept the EULA then click Next.
To start the installation click Install button.
The ongoing installation status is shown with a progressive bar.
Because some applications need to be closed, the wizard takes care of closing automatically the applications that need to be updated. Select Close the applications and attempt to restart them option then click OK.
vCenter Single Sign-On is updated and services restarted. Click Finish to exit the installation wizard.
Upgrade VMware vSphere Web Client
Next step updates the vSphere Web Client. Select the correct item then click Install button to proceed.
Wizard warnings you the setup will perform an upgrade of existing installed version. Click Yes to continue.
Click Next to start the wizard.
Accept the EULA then click Next.
To proceed with the installation click Install button.
The installation Status is shown.
When installation has completed, click Finish to exit the wizard.
Click OK to close the popup message.
Upgrade VMware vCenter Inventory Server
Again, select next item to update vCenter Inventory Service then click Install to proceed.
Wizard warnings you the setup will perform an upgrade of existing installed version. Click Yes to continue.
Click Next to start the installation wizard.
Accept the EULA then click Next.
Click Install button to start the installation.
The progressive bar shows the ongoing installation Status.
When installation has completed, click Finish to exit the wizard.
Upgrade VMware vCenter Server
Select now vCenter Server item and click Install.
Wizard warnings you the setup will perform an upgrade of existing installed version. Click Yes to continue.
Click Next to proceed with installation.
Accept the EULA then click Next.
No settings to input here. Click Next to continue.
To start the upgrade click Install button.
Program is being installed.
When installation has completed, click Finish to exit the wizard.
Upgrade VMware vSphere Update Manager
vCenter Server core programs have been upgraded. In most cases vSphere Update Manager is a package every administrator includes in main installation of vCenter. Select the support tool then click Install to proceed.
Wizard warnings you the setup will perform an upgrade of existing installed version. Click Yes to continue.
A warning informs you about an earlier version already installed on the computer. Click OK to continue.
Click Next to proceed with installation.
Accept the EULA then click Next.
Uncheck Download updates from default sources immediately after installation option then click Next.
Type the vSphere administrator Password then click Next.
Click Next to continue.
Because we want to upgrade the program leaving our settings in place, click Do not overwrite, leave my existing database in place option then click Next.
Click Install to proceed with the upgrade.
Click OK to stop applications that need to be updated.
Next window shows the Status of the ongoing installation process.
When installation has completed, click Finish to exit the wizard.
Upgrade the Client Integration Plug-in
To access vCenter Server using the vSphere Web Client, the Client Integration Plug-in needs to be upgraded as well.
Launch the Plug-in setup to install the updated version.
Once plug-in has been updated, access vCenter Server with vSphere Web Client and check Version Information. After the upgrade, version reported remains 5.5 but the build number is now 1623101.
vSphere 5.5 update 1 has been successfully installed in the system. Next step to perform is the upgrade of existing ESXi hosts configured in the network.
