Upgrading Aria Operations for Logs (formerly VMware vRealize Log Insight) is a crucial task to ensure you’re using the latest features, security patches, and performance improvements. In this guide, we’ll walk through the step-by-step process of upgrading Aria Operations for Logs using a .pak file.

Prerequisites

Before starting the upgrade, ensure the following prerequisites are met:

  1. Backup the Existing Deployment:

• Take a snapshot of all nodes in the Aria Operations for Logs cluster (Master, Worker, and any nodes).

• Confirm backups.

  1. Download the .PAK File:

• Log in to the Broadcom Support Portal.

• Navigate to the My Downloads section.

• Search for Aria Operations for Logs under VMware Aria Suite and download the appropriate .pak file for your version. Direct link here

The image shows a Broadcom portal with a focus on VMware Aria Suite, highlighting Aria Operations for Logs and a download link.

  1. Verify Compatibility:

• Confirm that the .pak file is compatible with your current version by reviewing the compatibility matrix.

  1. Administrative Access:

• Ensure you have access to the Aria Operations for Logs admin interface with appropriate permissions.

Step 1: Log in to the Aria Operations for Logs UI

  1. Open a browser and navigate to the Aria Operations for Logs interface.

• Example: https://.

  1. Log in with an account that has administrative privileges.

Step 2: Initiate the Upgrade

  1. Navigate to the Cluster Settings:

• Once logged in, go to Management > Cluster.

• Review the current status of all nodes. Ensure they are healthy and online.

  1. Select the Upgrade Option:

• In the Cluster Management section, click the Upgrade Cluster button.

In the Cluster Management section, the Upgrade Cluster button is visible.

Step 3: Upload the .PAK File

  1. Choose the .PAK File:

• Click Browse and locate the downloaded .pak file on your local system.

  1. Upgrade using the File:

• Select the .pak file and click Upgrade.

Upgrading VMware Aria Operations for Logs. Confirm to proceed.

• The system will upload and validate the .pak file for compatibility.

Upgrading Aria Operations for Logs: Uploading .PAK file in progress.

  1. Accept the EULA:

• Once upload and validation completes, review and accept the End User License Agreement (EULA).

EULA for Aria Operations upgrade, showing ‘DO NOT ACCEPT’ and ‘ACCEPT’ buttons.

Step 4: Monitor the Upgrade Process

  1. Upgrade Progress:

• The system will upgrade the Master node first, followed by Worker nodes.

• Monitor the progress in the Upgrade Status window.

Upgrading VMware Aria Operations for Logs in progress. Do not refresh or leave.

  1. Cluster Restart:

• After all nodes are upgraded, the system will automatically restart the cluster.

Upgrade successful; version 8.18.1-24395570; join Customer Experience Improvement Program.

5: Verify the Upgrade

  1. Check Cluster Health:

• Navigate to Management > Cluster to ensure all nodes are online and healthy.

The image shows a cluster management page in VMware Aria Operations for Logs, displaying a single node with uptime and version details.

  1. Verify Version:

• Go to About in the admin interface to confirm the version reflects the upgraded .pak file.

VMware Aria Operations for Logs version 8.18.1 displayed, confirming upgrade.

  1. Test Logs and Dashboards:

• Validate that logs are being ingested and dashboards function as expected.

Step 7: Post-Upgrade Tasks

  1. Reapply Customizations:

• If you had custom configurations or integrations, verify and reapply them as necessary.

  1. Remove Snapshots:

• After confirming the upgrade is successful and stable, remove the snapshots.

  1. Review Release Notes:

• Check the release notes for the upgraded version to explore new features or deprecations.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Upgrade Fails During Validation:

• Ensure the .pak file matches your current version and meets prerequisites.

Cluster Nodes Do Not Restart Automatically:

• Manually reboot nodes from the vSphere client or CLI.

Log Ingestion Issues Post-Upgrade:

• Verify ingestion settings and recheck agent configurations.

Conclusion

Upgrading Aria Operations for Logs using a .pak file is a straightforward process if you follow these steps carefully. By keeping your environment up to date, you can ensure optimal performance, access to new features, and maintain security compliance.

If you encounter issues, consult Broadcom’s official documentation or reach out to Broadcom support for assistance.