VMware NSX Upgradation Steps

VMware NSX is a virtual networking and security software product. In this blog we will go through step by step process to upgrade it.

Upgrade Process

Download the VMware NSX Upgrade Bundle (tar.gz file) from the VMware site
Take the VMware NSX Manager Snapshot
Upgrade NSX Manager (No downtime)
Upgrade NSX Controllers (No downtime)
Upgrade Host Clusters (No downtime)
Upgrade NSX Edges (Temporary Service Disconnection during NSX Edge Upgrade)

Steps to upgrade VMware NSX

Log into the VMware NSX Manager to upgrade, Select Upgrade

Browse for the Upgrade Bundle and Click on Continue

Click on upgrade to start the upgradation of NSX Manager – Make sure SSH is enabled

Upgradation progress

To Verify VMware NSX Manager Upgrade

Login to the VMware Web Client – Select Networking and Security – Installation -Management Tab – Under NSX Manager and verify the version

VMware NSX Controller Upgrade Steps

Login to vCenter Server Web client – Network & Security – Installation – Management Tab – Select Upgrade Available under NSX Manager for the VMware NSX Controller Upgrade

To Verify the VMware NSX Controller upgrade

VMware Host Cluster Upgrade Steps

Please note that ESXi is rebooted one by one by putting Host into Maintenance Mode

Login to vCenter Server Web client – Network & Security – Installation – Host Preparation Tab – Select Upgrade Available for the VMware Host Cluster Upgrade

Installation progress by installing VMware NSX VIB agent in ESXi Hosts

Once the Cluster ESXi Servers are upgraded with the latest NSX VIBs- It shows the green check-mark under Installation Status.

Common Errors during the Upgrade

If hosts require manual intervention to enter maintenance mode (for example, due to HA requirements or DRS rules), the upgrade process stops and the cluster Installation Status displays Not Ready

Sometimes the NSX will be unable to install the VIBs successfully on ESXi Servers due to the issues to vMotion VMs to put into Maintenance Mode- Identify and fix the issue to proceed.

If the DRS and HA settings are proper , once we click on Resolve All, it starts putting host into Maintenance Mode one by one and Reboots ESXi to install the VIBs.