This walkthrough records a VCF Operations 9.0.1 upgrade with a .pak file and the checks I use to verify the cluster afterward.

If you are still on an older release, I covered the initial jump in Upgrading Aria Operations to 9.0 Using a .PAK File.

Before You Begin

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 (Master, Cloud proxies, and any other nodes).

    • Confirm backups.

  2. Download the .PAK File:

    • Log in to the Broadcom Support Portal.

    • Navigate to the My Downloads section.

    • Search for VMware Cloud Foundation under VMware Aria Suite and download the appropriate .pak file for your version. Use the Broadcom Support Portal; the file used in this example is Operations-Upgrade-9.0.1.0.24960352.pak.

    VMware Cloud Foundation 9.0.1.0 download page with various components and their release versions.

  3. Verify Compatibility:

    • Confirm that the .pak file is compatible with your current version by reviewing the compatibility matrix. Compatibility matrix can be found here.

  4. Administrative Access:

    • Ensure you have access to the VCF Operations admin interface with appropriate permissions.

Logging In and Initiating the Upgrade

Step 1: Log in to the VCF Operations Admin UI

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

    • Example: https://<your-operations-host>/admin.

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

Step 2: Initiate the Upgrade

  1. Node status:

    • Once logged in, go to System Status.

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

    VMware Cloud Foundation Operations Cluster status screen, indicating cluster and node health.

  2. Select the Software Update Option:

    • In the Software Update section, click the Install a Software Update button.

    Software Update page shows installed update details and node information.

Step 3: Accept the warning and click Next.

Warning: Acknowledge risks for .PAK file upload. Click Next.

Uploading the .PAK File

Step 4: Upload the .PAK File

  1. Choose the .PAK File:

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

  2. Upgrade using the File:

    • Select the .pak file and click Upload.

    Select a .PAK file for VCF 9.0.1 update, then click Upload.

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

    Uploading .PAK file for VCF 9.0.1 update, 7% complete.

  3. Accept the EULA:

    • Once upload and staging completes, click Next

    Upgrading VCF Operations to 9.0.1 using a .PAK file. Upload complete; click Next.

    • Review and accept the End User License Agreement (EULA). Click next.

    Wizard step: “End User License Agreement” with checkbox, text, and buttons.

    • Review the Upgrade information and Release notes. Click Next

    • Click Install.

    Wizard step: Install Software Update. Click Install to restart cluster and copy files.

Monitoring the Upgrade

Step 5: Monitor the Upgrade Process

  1. Upgrade Progress:

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

    • Monitor the progress in the Software update window.

    Software update in progress: VMware Cloud Foundation Operations 9.0.1 upgrade.

  2. Cluster Restart:

    • As the nodes get upgraded, the system will automatically restart the cluster.

Verifying Cluster Health and Version

Step 6: Verify the Upgrade

  1. Check Cluster Health and Version:

    • Navigate to System Status to ensure all nodes are online and healthy.

    System Status shows cluster online, nodes running, and upgrade details.

  2. Verify Metrics and Dashboards:

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

Post-Upgrade Cleanup

Step 7: Post-Upgrade Tasks

  1. Reapply Customizations:

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

  2. Remove Snapshots:

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

  3. Review Release Notes:

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

Troubleshooting

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.

Verification

After the .pak workflow completes, verify that every node is healthy and that the installed build is the intended target. If validation or a reboot fails, use the matching Broadcom procedure or support channel before retrying.

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