You can modify the upgrade process to work around upgrade problems.

Solution

When you experience problems upgrading your vRealize Automation environment, use this procedure to modify the upgrade process by selecting one of the available flags.

Procedure

  1. Open a secure shell connection to the primary vRealize Automation appliance node.
  2. At the command prompt, run this command to create the toggle file:

    touch available_flag

    For example: touch /tmp/disable-iaas-upgrade

    Table 1. Available Flags

    Flag

    Description

    /tmp/disable-iaas-upgrade

    • Prevents IaaS upgrade process after the virtual appliance restarts.

    • Prevents the Management Agent upgrade.

    • Prevents the automatic prerequisite checks and fixes.

    • Prevents stopping IaaS services.

    /tmp/do-not-upgrade-ma

    Prevents the Management Agent upgrade. This flag is suitable when the Management Agent is upgraded manually.

    /tmp/skip-prereq-checks

    Prevents the automatic prerequisite checks and fixes. This flag is suitable when there is a problem with the automatic prerequisite fixes and the fixes have been applied manually instead.

    /tmp/do-not-stop-services

    Prevents stopping IaaS services. The upgrade does not stop the IaaS Windows services, such as the Manager Service, DEMs, and agents.

    /tmp/do-not-upgrade-servers

    Prevents the automatic upgrade of all server IaaS components, such as the database, web site, WAPI, repository, Model Mfrontanager data, and Manager Service.

    Note:

    This flag also prevents enabling the Manager Service automatic failover mode.

    /tmp/do-not-upgrade-dems

    Prevents DEM upgrade.

    /tmp/do-not-upgrade-agents

    Prevents IaaS proxy agent upgrade.

  3. Complete the tasks for your chosen flag.

    Table 2. Additional Tasks

    Flag

    Tasks

    /tmp/disable-iaas-upgrade

    • Upgrade the Management Agent manually.

    • Apply any required IaaS prerequisites manually.

    • Manually stop the IaaS services.

      1. Log in to your IaaS Windows server.

      2. Select Start > Administrative Tools > Services.

      3. Stop these services in the following order.

        Note:

        Do not shut down the IaaS Windows server.

        1. Each VMware vRealize Automation Proxy Agent.

        2. Each VMware DEM worker.

        3. The VMware DEM orchestrator.

        4. The VMware vCloud Automation Center service.

    • Start the IaaS upgrade manually after the virtual appliance upgrade is complete.

    /tmp/do-not-upgrade-ma

    Upgrade the Management Agent manually.

    /tmp/skip-prereq-checks

    Apply any required IaaS prerequisites manually.

    /tmp/do-not-stop-services

    Manually stop the IaaS services.

    1. Log in to your IaaS Windows server.

    2. Select Start > Administrative Tools > Services.

    3. Stop these services in the following order.

      Note:

      Do not shut down the IaaS Windows server.

      1. Each VMware vRealize Automation Proxy Agent.

      2. Each VMware DEM worker.

      3. The VMware DEM orchestrator.

      4. The VMware vCloud Automation Center service.

    /tmp/do-not-upgrade-servers

    /tmp/do-not-upgrade-dems

    /tmp/do-not-upgrade-agents

  4. Access the primary vRealize Automation appliance management console and update the primary vRealize Automation appliance.
    Note:

    Because each flag remains active until it is removed, run this command to remove your chosen flag after upgrade: rm /flag_path/flag_name. For example, rm /tmp/disable-iaas-upgrade.