In this post, I’ll be upgrading my vRealize Log Insight deployment from 8.2 to 8.3 but the upgrade process is currently the same for any 8.x versions. [15/04/2021 – 8.4 has been released and follows exactly the same upgrade process]

If all goes to plan, performing a vRealize Log Insight upgrade is a simple process with an upgrade package deployment from the Primary Node.

Always complete the usual due diligence to ensure your version upgrade path is supported, verify compatibility with the rest of your environment and reading the Release Notes doesn’t give you any concerns.

VMware advise: You can upgrade vRealize Log Insight to version 8.4 from 8.3 or 8.2, to 8.3 from 8.2, to 8.2 from 8.1, and to 8.1 from 4.8 or 8.0. Upgrades to vRealize Log Insight 8.0 or earlier must be done incrementally. For example, to upgrade from version 4.5 to 4.7, you apply the 4.6 upgrade to 4.5 and then upgrade from 4.6 to 4.7. You must upgrade to each intermediate release.

First step is covering your back in case of issues during the upgrade process. Even if your favourite backup tools is being used, we’ll take Snapshots on each Node via the vSphere Client. Right click on your first node VM > click Snapshots > click Take Snapshot.

Give the snapshot a meaningful name > uncheck the snapshot memory check box > click OK.

Monitor the snapshot until Completion. We’re not snapshotting the memory so this should be a quick process.

You’ll also see a confirmation on the VM Summary page.

Repeat these steps for all of your Log Insight Nodes.

Log on to your VMware Customer Connect account and navigate to the version of vRLI you’ll be upgrading to.

Under Product Downloads, click Download Now on the Upgrade Package and Save to a suitable location.

The upgrade needs to be performed directly from the Primary Node of the cluster but if you don’t know which that is, I cover the slight detour below.

Navigate to your vRLI web interface and log in as admin or a user with the correct privileges to perform upgrades.

Click the Administration tab > select Cluster in the left navigation menu > click Upgrade Cluster.

If you’re not logged in to the Primary Node already then you’ll get this helpful pop up that’ll direct you right there. Click Redirect and log in using admin or a user with the correct privileges to perform an upgrade.

Follow the same steps as before by clicking the Administration tab > select Cluster in the left navigation menu > click Upgrade Cluster.

Select the .pak file you downloaded from VMware Customer Connect.

It’ll ask you if you’re sure you want to upgrade. Think carefully… then click Upgrade.

EULA… read and think carefully again… and click Accept.

The upgrade is now on progress and leave the following pop up on your screen. Let vRLI do it’s thing.

Depending on your screen size, you might be lucky enough to see the status of each Node during the rolling upgrade.

If you can’t see this, it’s probably not recommend but I was able to log in to the Primary Node on a new tab while leaving the original open and was able to see the Node status from there.

Once all Nodes are upgraded, you’ll be informed by this pop up. Click OK.

Feature or known issue: There is a feature in this version where you’ll the Upgrade Unconfirmed pop up like below. This is a known issue and in the release notes so I’m hopeful this will be fixed in later releases but I’ve personally not had an issue with the service not running . Click OK to dismiss.

Take a look at your vRealize Log Insight cluster to confirm the versions are correct and the status show all Nodes are Connected. If all is as expected, take the time to admire your vRealize Log Insight upgrade skills 🙂