Example Migration Paths from vCenter Server for Windows to vCenter Server Appliance 6.5

You can migrate a vCenter Server for Windows instance to a vCenter Server Appliance instance.

You can migrate a vCenter Server version 5.5 or version 6.0 instance on Windows to a vCenter Server Appliance 6.5 deployment on a Linux-based OS.

The vCenter Server example migration paths demonstrate supported migration outcomes.

You can migrate a vCenter Server instance with an embedded vCenter Single Sign-On (version 5.5) or Platform Services Controller (version 6.0) to a vCenter Server Appliance 6.5 instance with an embedded Platform Services Controller appliance. In this case the software migrates the vCenter Server instance and the embedded vCenter Single Sign-On instance or Platform Services Controller instance at the same time.

Figure 1. vCenter Server 5.5.x with Embedded vCenter Single Sign-On Installation Before and After Migration

Figure 2. vCenter Server 6.0.x with Embedded Platform Services Controller Installation Before and After Migration

You can migrate a vCenter Server instance with an external vCenter Single Sign-On (version 5.5) or Platform Services Controller (version 6.0) to a vCenter Server Appliance 6.5 instance with an external Platform Services Controller appliance. In this case you must first migrate the external vCenter Single Sign-On instance or Platform Services Controller instance and then the vCenter Server instance.

Figure 3. vCenter Server 5.5.x with External vCenter Single Sign-On Installation Before and After Migration

Figure 4. vCenter Server 6.0.x with External Platform Services Controller Installation Before and After Migration

If you have multiple systems configured for high availability, vCenter Server enables you to incorporate your common services into an external Platform Services Controller configuration as part of your upgrade process.

If you have a multi-site setup configured with replication, you can use vCenter Server to incorporate your common services into an external Platform Services Controller configuration as part of your upgrade process.

For more information on mixed version transitional environments, see Upgrade or Migration Order and Mixed-Version Transitional Behavior for Multiple vCenter Server Instance Deployments.