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This chapter includes the following sections:
To use the VM-FEX feature with Cisco UCS, you must install the Cisco UCS M81KR Virtual Interface Card in the Cisco UCS server and install the correct VMware ESX software version and Cisco VEM software bundle on it. The software that you install depends on whether you intend to use the VM-FEX feature in standard mode or high-performance mode. For more information, see Cisco VEM Software Bundle Prerequisites.
Before installing the Cisco VEM software bundle, make sure to satisfy these prerequisites:
Note |
The VEM software bundle is also a component of another product: the Cisco Nexus 1000V switch. Do not be concerned if you see references to this product during the installation of the VEM bundle. This reference is cosmetic only and does not affect the outcome of the installation and implementation of VM-FEX. |
To install the Cisco VEM software bundle using VMware vSphere Update Manager (VUM), you need to log into the VMware vSphere client and copy the VM-FEX driver VIBs or bundles from cisco.com locally and import them in VUM.
For information about configuring VUM, see the VMware product documentation.
You can use this procedure to upgrade a host to ESX or ESXi 4.0, Update 3 or 4.1, Update 1 and simultaneously upgrade the Cisco VEM software bundle.
Note |
You can also perform this procedure using VMware VUM. For more information, see Installing or Upgrading the Cisco VEM Software Bundle Using VUM and the VMware documentation. |
You can upgrade a host to ESXi 5.0 with the compatible Cisco VEM software bundle using an Interactive upgrade from CD, DVD, or USB drive or using VMware vSphere Update Manager (VUM) (also known as an online upgrade).
You have copied the ESXi 5.0 host software and the Cisco VEM software bundle to the /tmp directory. To determine the correct Cisco VEM software bundle to use, see the Hardware and Software Interoperability Matrix for B Series Servers.
Step 1 |
Upgrade the Cisco UCS to release 1.4 and the ESX or ESXi host to one of the following releases:
For more information, see Upgrading a Host to ESX or ESXi 4.0, Update 3 or to ESX or ESXi 4.1, Update 1 and the Compatible Cisco VEM Software Bundle. |
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Step 2 |
Upgrade the Cisco UCS to release 2.0. For more information, see Upgrading Cisco UCS from Release 1.4 to Release 2.0. |
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Step 3 |
Because VM-FEX for VMware has Cisco VEMs that require custom .vib files, create a custom ESX installable ISO file that includes the Cisco VEM software bundle. This custom ESX installable ISO file is installed as part of the ESXi 5.0 host upgrade. For more information, see the "Upgrading Hosts That Have Third-Party Custom VIBs" section in the VMware vSphere Upgrade document for vSphere 5.0. |
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Step 4 |
Upgrade the host to ESXi 5.0 and install the custom ESX installable ISO file. For more information, see the VMware vSphere Upgrade document for vSphere 5.0.
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You can upgrade a host to ESXi 5.1 with the compatible Cisco VEM software bundle using an Interactive upgrade from CD, DVD, or USB drive or using VMware vSphere Update Manager (VUM) (also known as an online upgrade).
You have copied the ESXi 5.1 host software and the Cisco VEM software bundle to the /tmp directory. To determine the correct Cisco VEM software bundle to use, see the Hardware and Software Interoperability Matrix for B Series Servers.
Step 1 |
Upgrade the Cisco UCS to release 1.4 and the ESX or ESXi host to one of the following releases:
For more information, see Upgrading a Host to ESX or ESXi 4.0, Update 3 or to ESX or ESXi 4.1, Update 1 and the Compatible Cisco VEM Software Bundle. |
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Step 2 |
Upgrade the Cisco UCS to release 2.0. For more information, see Upgrading Cisco UCS from Release 1.4 to Release 2.0. |
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Step 3 |
Because VM-FEX for VMware has Cisco VEMs that require custom .vib files, create a custom ESX installable ISO file that includes the Cisco VEM software bundle. This custom ESX installable ISO file is installed as part of the ESXi 5.1 host upgrade. For more information, see the "Upgrading Hosts That Have Third-Party Custom VIBs" section in the VMware vSphere Upgrade document for vSphere 5.0. |
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Step 4 |
Upgrade the host to ESXi 5.1 and install the custom ESX installable ISO file. For more information, see the VMware vSphere Upgrade document for vSphere 5.1.
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Use this procedure to install the Cisco VEM software bundle on a host.
Note |
You can also perform this procedure using VMware VUM. For more information, see Installing or Upgrading the Cisco VEM Software Bundle Using VUM and the VMware documentation. |
Use this procedure to uninstall the Cisco VEM software bundle from a host. The command that you use removes the software from the host, removes the kernel modules, and stops the VEM Agent on the running system.