Track · Full VCF
Fleet-managed VCF, driven through SDDC Manager.
For an engagement where VCF Management Services / Fleet Management is deployed and driving the upgrade end to end. If SDDC Manager isn't in the picture, check the standalone VVF track instead.
The flow
Upgrade planning docs
Overview
Shared prerequisites and target-build guidance, plus a pointer to the full-VCF and standalone-VVF sequences below.
OpenFull VCF upgrade sequence
The 9-phase spine, prerequisites, conditional phases, post-upgrade validation, and cleanup for a fleet driven through VCF Management Services.
OpenDisaster Recovery
SRM / vSphere Replication convergence to VCF Protection and Recovery, before the core upgrade. Applies to VCF, VVF, or pre-9 vSphere.
OpenIWA to LDAPS migration
Move a vCenter off Integrated Windows Authentication to AD-over-LDAPS before Phase 6, with a permissions/roles backup. vCenter-level, applies to VCF and VVF alike.
OpenVUM to vLCM images migration
Transition any remaining vLCM-baseline-managed clusters and standalone hosts to vLCM images before the ESX host phase – the PowerShell script for VCF, the vSphere Client for standalone VVF. Applies to VCF and VVF.
OpenOperations modernization
Aria Operations to VCF Operations: in-place upgrade vs. fresh install, re-IP, HA setup, and vCenter integrations. Phase 1. Applies to fleet-managed VCF and standalone VVF alike.
OpenAvi + License Hub upgrade
Avi Load Balancer Controller/Service Engine upgrade and the separate License Hub appliance, before SDDC Manager. Applies whenever Avi is in use, VCF or VVF.
OpenNSX Edge & Finalize
NSX Edge cluster upgrade and NSX finalize, replacing the plain Phase 8 – runs after the ESX / host-cluster phase. Applies whenever NSX Edge nodes are present.
OpenLog Management migration
VCF Operations for Logs migration to Log Management 9.1, after NSX finalize. Path depends on the running source version.
OpenIdentity Broker migration
VIDM / Workspace ONE Access to VCF Identity Broker, after the core upgrade (or before Phase 1 for the 9.0.x source case). Requires VCF Management Services, so VCF only – not applicable to standalone VVF.
OpenField notes
Known issues and gotchas from real VCF 5.2 to 9.x upgrades, grouped by phase.
OpenvCenter proxy configuration
Configuring the vCenter appliance's own outbound proxy – the 7.0.x/8.0.x file method and the different, JSON-based 9.x method. Applies to VCF, VVF, or standalone vSphere.
OpenVDT and lsdoctor diagnostics
Self-service diagnostic tools – VDT for a general appliance health sweep, lsdoctor for deeper VC Lookup Service / SSO / vmdir issues. Applies to VCF, VVF, or standalone vSphere.
OpenVMware Tools ProductLocker
Shared VMware Tools repository setup, both PowerCLI methods, and why the location needs re-verifying after every ESXi upgrade. Applies to VCF, VVF, or standalone vSphere.
OpenVVF vs VCF feature comparison
What is VCF-only, VVF-only, or an add-on regardless of tier – summarized from Broadcom's official comparison whitepaper. Applies to the VCF/VVF licensing decision.
OpenPatching an existing VCF 9.1 fleet
Applying a maintenance/patch release to a fleet already on VCF 9.1 (e.g. 9.1.0.x to 9.1.1) – Express Patches vs. maintenance releases, depot prep, the mandatory component patching order, UI walkthrough, and known gotchas. Applies to VCF or VVF.
OpenVxRail Addendum
Dell VxRail-specific extra steps layered on top of the general upgrade flow.
Open