How to Upgrade HPE SimpliVity RapidDR

[ChongYanYan]

Hi support,

We are looking into upgrading our HPE SimpliVity nodes and I have the following setup:

1. 2 SimpliVity nodes

2. 2 vCenter Server (VCSA) configured in linked mode

3. HPE SimpliVity RapidDR configured.

I have experience upgrading the SimpliVity nodes itself (with one vCenter Server only in another environment) before, but without experience in upgrading items 2 and 3.

My questions are:

1. Would it be the same/similar for steps to upgrade the VCSA configured in linked mode, like how I upgraded a standalone VCSA before?

2. To upgrade RapidDR, how do I do it? Is it I first cross check with the HPE SimpliVity Rapid DR 3.6.0 Interoperability Guid, then download the relevant RapidDR software, and install it on the machine that host the RapidDR software? Do I need to uninstall the old RapidDR software first before I install the new RapidDR software?

I am asking these questions as I find out that it is abit hard to find upgrading information especially for RapidDR. I hope can Support can assist in this case (without have to lodge a support case). Thank you very much in advance.

[support_s]

System recommended content:

1. HPE SimpliVity OmniStack Interoperability Guide 4.1.2

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[ChongYanYan]

Hi support, I have read about the OmniStack Interoperability Guide but doesn't find the information I want. 

[Deepak_K · Accepted solution]

Hi ChongYanYan,

Thank you for writing us.

We apologize for the delayed response.

Please find the answers in-line below:

1. Would it be the same/similar for steps to upgrade the VCSA configured in linked mode, like how I upgraded a standalone VCSA before?

Ans: Yes, you have to follow the same steps. Upgrade the vCenter one after the other. For Example: Complete the upgrade of the first vCenter and then go for the second vCenter.

2. To upgrade RapidDR, how do I do it? Is it I first cross check with the HPE SimpliVity Rapid DR 3.6.0 Interoperability Guid, then download the relevant RapidDR software, and install it on the machine that host the RapidDR software? Do I need to uninstall the old RapidDR software first before I install the new RapidDR software?

Ans: Check the supported RapidDR version as per the latest HPE SimpliVity Rapid DR 3.6.0 Interoperability Guide against the currently installed OVC version. Uninstall the older version first and install the higher version.

Reference Links:
HPE SimpliVity RapidDR 3.6.0 Interoperability Guide:
https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docLocale=en_US&docId=a00029769en_us

HPE SimpliVity RapidDR 3.6.0 User Guide:
https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docLocale=en_US&docId=a00117362en_us

Regards,
Deepak
HPE

[ChongYanYan]

Hi Deepak,

Thank you for your answers, it helps and gives me a better upgrading ideas. Thanks a lot for your feedback.

[Deepak_K]

Hi ChongYanYan,

The RapidDR version 3.6.0 is supported by 4.1.2.

The "HPE SimpliVity RapidDR 3.6.0 Interoperability Guide" does not list the compatibility for the OVC version 4.1.2. We have provided the feedback to the appropriate team to include the 4.1.2 version in the Interoperability Guide.

Note: After upgrading the vCenters. It is recommended to uninstall and re-install the SimpliVity Plug-In

Have a nice day.

Regards,

Deepak

HPE

[ChongYanYan]

Hi Deepak,

Thank you for letting us know that the RapidDR version is supported by OVC 4.1.2 and your feedback to the appropriate team about this, we can then plan to upgrade to the latest OVC version.

I would also like to check that when I re-install the latest version of the RapidDR, do we need to re-do the configuration from start?

[Deepak_K]

Hi ChongYanYan,

Thank you for writing us.

We do not have to re-do any configuration. The latest version will continue to work as before. However, please check the pre-requisites mentioned in the RapidDR User Guide for the latest version. Check Page No. 7 in the document link below:

https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docLocale=en_US&docId=a00117362en_us

Also, please refer the "Note" mentioned in Page No.10 on the above shared document link for the recovery plans created using older versions:

This version of RapidDR supports recovery plans created by using RapidDR 3.0 and later.
To use recovery plans created with RapidDR 3.0.x or 3.1.x versions, use the Edit Plan->Edit Entire Plan option to upgrade to the current version first before attempting failover or failback.
For plans created with RapidDR 3.5.x versions,upgrading to the current version is done automatically when you open the plan in Edit plan/ Test Failover/ Execute Failover/ Test Failback or Execute Failback

Regards,

Deepak

HPE

[ChongYanYan]

Hi Deepak,

Thank you for pointing out the important points and notes, they have been very helpful especially the last part of to click on the option "Edit Plan" to upgrade the version first (as I am new to RapidDR, the configuration was not done by me). I truly appreciate your patience and thank you very much once again for your detailed guidance.