Importing TBRs for existing Kubernetes versions

Products

• VMware Telco Cloud Automation

Issue/Introduction

• This document outlines the procedure to introduce a new TCA Bom Release (TBR) into TCA for an existing K8s version within a given TCA release
• We will be utilizing an updated kernel via a Bring Your Own Image (BYOI) template
• This can be used for kernel updates that address issues found in the previous TBR that used an older kernel version

Environment

3.x

Resolution

Please follow the steps below to upgrade to the new TBR in TCA, in the below examples we will be upgrading the kernel version from linux-6.1.102-3.ph5 to linux-6.1.128-2.ph5

Importing New BYOI Template into vCenter

1. Import the OVA of the new TKG Template into vCenter using the "Deploy OVA Template" option in the vCenter UI, in our example we are uploading "photon-5-kube-v1.30.2-vmware.1-tkg.1-00b380-24834325.ova"
   
   
2. Once the import is completed convert it into template and confirm the selection:
   
   
   
   
   
   

Upgrade the Node Pool to the new TBR for Non Classy Clusters

1. Review the current kernel version of the node pool via the control plane, login utilizing capv and run the following command:
   
   kubectl get nodes -owide
   
   Below is an example of the output expected, we are looking to confirm the Kubernetes version is 1.30.2 and the kernel version is 6.1.102-3.ph5 that is the older version we are upgrading from.
   
   
   
   
2. Confirm the versions within TCA UI for the node pool as well:
   
   
   
   
   
3. Once confirmed, proceed to EDIT the node pool, a new dialog box will populate
   
   
4. Within this dialog edit the VM Template section as shown below and change it to the new template we uploaded previously
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Select OK then APPLY to confirm the changes
   
   
6. Node pool upgrades will begin with the new TBR, The duration may vary depending on the number of nodes, configured PodDisruptionBudgets (PDBs), and the applications running on the node pool.
   
   
7. Check the node pool after the upgrade and it should show the new kernel version, in our example the new version will be 6.1.128-2.ph5.
   
   kubectl get nodes -owide
   
   
   
   

Upgrade the Node Pool to the new TBR for Classy Clusters

When working with Classy Standard Cluster follow the steps below to change to the new BYOI template

1. Use the “Edit Cluster” option instead of the “Upgrade Cluster” option when performing a modification
   
   
2. Within the Edit Cluster workflow, navigate to the Control Plane section.
   
   
3. Under VM Template, select the new template uploaded during Task 1
   
   
4. Click on “OK” then  click on “Apply”
   
   
5. In the next screen  select “Next” and finalize by clicking on “Update Cluster Config”

NOTE: In Classy Cluster, upgrading the control plane will automatically trigger rolling upgrades on control plane components and all node pools. To avoid unintended node pool updates, follow this sequence each time:

1. Upgrade the control plane first – this will initiate rolling updates on all node pools.
2. Wait for the rolling updates to complete.
3. Then update the node pool templates – this won’t trigger another rolling update, as the nodes are already up to date.