LVM Snapshot Warning Messages During vCenter Server 8.0 Upgrade

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

During the upgrade process to vCenter Server 8.0.3, users may encounter warning messages related to LVM snapshots. These messages can cause concern, but they are often part of the normal upgrade process and do not necessarily indicate a problem.

Environment

- vCenter Server 8.0.2 or earlier
- Upgrading to vCenter Server 8.0.3

Cause

The warning messages about LVM snapshots are displayed by design, even when there might be space constraints. These messages are cautionary and do not definitively indicate that an LVM snapshot will not be taken during the upgrade process.

Resolution

1. Understand that the warning message is cautionary, not definitive.
2. Proceed with the upgrade process as normal.
3. During the upgrade, the system will still attempt to take an LVM snapshot backup.
4. If you see a message during patching that says "Taking LVM snapshot based vcenter backup," this is normal and doesn't contradict the earlier warning.
5. After the upgrade, verify that all services are running normally.

If you encounter space-related issues or have concerns about the LVM snapshot process, you can check the LVM configuration:

a. Connect to the vCenter Server Appliance via SSH:

• Open an SSH client (e.g., PuTTY on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux)
• Connect to the vCenter Server using its IP address or FQDN
• Log in with appropriate credentials (typically, root user)

b. Once connected, run the following commands to gather information:

• Check available space: df -h
• View volume group information: vgdisplay
• Display logical volume details: lvdisplay

c. Review the output of these commands to understand your current LVM setup and available space.

Note: Ensure you have the necessary permissions to access the vCenter Server via SSH before attempting these steps.

Additional Information

- LVM on vCenter Server is generally expected to manage itself.
- If space constraints are a concern, ensure there's sufficient free space on the datastore where the vCenter Server Appliance VM resides.
- It's recommended to have a file-based backup of the vCenter Server before proceeding with any upgrade.