Proactive Upgrade Case for vSphere networking

Products

VMware vSphere ESXi 8.0 VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Note: The Proactive Upgrade process outlined in this KB is available only to Advanced Support customers with a Support Account Manager (SAM) and/or Dedicated Technical Support Engineer (DTSE). All other customers are advised to follow reference KB's and to open a support case for any technical issue encountered.

Prerequisites to be followed before opening Proactive vSphere Networking Upgrade Cases:

Cases must be opened 10 business days in advance of the upgrade window.
Cases should be opened as Severity 4.
Any upgrade prechecks must be run in advance and the precheck result file provided when the case is opened.
Collect vCenter and ESXi host logs, also the precheck results file if any, and upload both to this new support case.
Review the pertinent documentation.

VMware by Broadcom Support will:

Ensure precheck issues are resolved.
Validate the target version or changes proposed and advise if a newer/diferent one is available.
Review vCenter and ESXi host logs for known issues that may impact the upgrade.
If a proactive Case is not raised with sufficient notice of 10 days, it may not be possible to offer log review and precheck resolution within the planned timeframe.
Once the review completes, the proactive case will be closed.
2 days prior to upgrade the SAM or DTSE will open a maintenance case for you, this case will track the upgrade and can be uplifted to Severity 1 in the event of a failure.
The next available support engineer will engage with you. Broadcom will not be able to provide dedicated support to be on standby during the activity.

Please complete the following template when opening the Case:

Upgrade Date & Time:
vDS from version:
vDS to version:
vDS/Advanced setting from:
vDS/Advanced setting to:
pNic driver option from:
pNic driver option to:
No. of VM:
No. of Hosts:
vC in linked mode?:
Upgrade Prechecks/HCL Passed?:
Upstream/switch change ?
3rd party integration?:
Any other not listed?:

Upgrade Recommendations:

It is recommended to retain locally the logs collected when opening the proactive Case until the upgrade has completed successfully.
Prepare a contingency plan to allow the upgrade maintenance window to be extended should a failure occur.
A export of vDS and vCenter backup is recommended before the start of upgrade/change.
In environments with long uptimes, especially if an upgrade has not been performed in a long time, it can be beneficial to perform a proactive reboot of vCenter and ESXi hosts prior to starting the upgrade.

Environment

ESXi 7.x
ESXi 8.x

Resolution

Advanced Support customers should open a Proactive Upgrade case via Broadcom Support.
The purpose of a proactive Upgrade Case is to prepare in advance for the vCenter and host networking components.
This is not an exhaustive health check of the environment, if this is required please engage VMware by Broadcom Professional Services.
If an issue is experienced during upgrade, Advanced Support customers should uplift their maintenance case.
For more details on Upgrade issues please see Troubleshooting vSphere networking.

Additional Information

Collecting logs or opening a new case

Proactive upgrade process by product: