Prerequisites for Upgrading HyperFlex Software
The following tasks should be performed prior to beginning the upgrade process:
![]() Important |
Using VMware Update Manager (VUM) or VMware Lifecycle Manager (vLCM) for upgrading the ESXi on HyperFlex node is not supported. Using these upgrade methods may delete Cisco custom drivers and cause cluster outages. We recommend using Cisco Intersight or HyperFlex Connect for ESXi upgrades including the security patches from VMware or manually installing patches using the offline zip bundle with ESXCLI commands. |
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Ensure Storage I/O Control (SIOC) is completely disabled on each HyperFlex datastore and the local datastore on each ESXi host in the HyperFlex cluster. This can be confirmed through the vCenter Web Client:
Status and Statistics Collection is set to Disabled.
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Please refer to the VMware documentation site for more details and steps to disable SIOC.
Datastore Requirements:
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Clusters running HXDP Release 4.5(2a) or later can upgrade directly to 6.0(1a).
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Clusters running HXDP Release 4.0(2x) through 4.5(1x) can upgrade directly to 5.5(1a).
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HXDP Release 4.5 supports ESXi version 6.5 U3 and later only. If your current ESXi version is earlier than 6.5 U3, make sure to perform a combined upgrade of HXDP and ESXi to a target level 6.5 U3 or later.
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Review the Cisco HyperFlex Upgrade Guidelines in the Recommended Cisco HyperFlex HX Data Platform Software Releases - for Cisco HyperFlex HX-Series Systems.
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SCVM Support
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SCVM VMware Tools upgrade: not supported
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SCVM Hardware Version upgrade: not supported
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SCVM VMware Tools are used when creating HX native snapshots using the quiesce option.
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vCenter version check: Verify that the vCenter meets the minimum requirement for the ESXi version being upgraded to. See, VMware Product Interoperability Matrices to ensure compatibility between vCenter and ESXi.
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Ensure all VM network port groups exist on all nodes in the cluster for vMotion compatibility.
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Ensure that the management and storage data VLANs are configured on the top-of-rack network switches to ensure uninterrupted connectivity during planned fabric failover.
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If using jumbo frames in your environment, ensure jumbo frames are enabled on the vMotion and data networks on the top of rack switch.
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Verify that the ESXi hosts are not in lockdown mode and SSH service is enabled and set to start and stop with the host for the duration of the upgrade. Lockdown mode can be re-enabled after the upgrade is complete along with disabling SSH service.
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Upgrading the VM compatibility version or hardware version of the Storage Controller Virtual Machine (SCVM) is not supported and should not be performed. This action is detrimental to the SCVM and will require a rebuild of the SCVM if performed.
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If you are using HX CSI then contact TAC.