Chapter 5. Updating the Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization Environment

5.1. Upgrades between Minor Releases

5.1.1. Checking for Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization Manager Updates

Important

Always update to the latest minor version of your current Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization Manager version before you upgrade to the next major version.
Summary

Check for updates to the Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization Manager.

Procedure 5.1. Checking for Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization Manager Updates

  1. Run the following command on the machine on which the Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization Manager is installed: 
    # engine-upgrade-check
    • If there are no updates are available, the command will output the text No upgrade: 
      # engine-upgrade-check
VERB: queue package rhevm-setup for update
VERB: package rhevm-setup queued
VERB: Building transaction
VERB: Empty transaction
VERB: Transaction Summary:
No upgrade
    • If updates are available, the command will list the packages to be updated: 
      # engine-upgrade-check
VERB: queue package rhevm-setup for update
VERB: package rhevm-setup queued
VERB: Building transaction
VERB: Transaction built
VERB: Transaction Summary:
VERB:     updated    - rhevm-lib-3.3.2-0.50.el6ev.noarch
VERB:     update     - rhevm-lib-3.4.0-0.13.el6ev.noarch
VERB:     updated    - rhevm-setup-3.3.2-0.50.el6ev.noarch
VERB:     update     - rhevm-setup-3.4.0-0.13.el6ev.noarch
VERB:     install    - rhevm-setup-base-3.4.0-0.13.el6ev.noarch
VERB:     install    - rhevm-setup-plugin-ovirt-engine-3.4.0-0.13.el6ev.noarch
VERB:     updated    - rhevm-setup-plugins-3.3.1-1.el6ev.noarch
VERB:     update     - rhevm-setup-plugins-3.4.0-0.5.el6ev.noarch
Upgrade available

Upgrade available
Result

You have checked for updates to the Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization Manager.

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5.1.2. Updating the Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization Manager

Summary

Updates to the Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization Manager are released via Red Hat Network. Before installing an update from Red Hat Network, ensure you read the advisory text associated with it and the latest version of the Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization Release Notes and Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization Technical Notes. A number of actions must be performed to complete an upgrade, including:

  • Stopping the ovirt-engine service.
  • Downloading and installing the updated packages.
  • Backing up and updating the database.
  • Performing post-installation configuration.
  • Starting the ovirt-engine service.

Procedure 5.2. Updating Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization Manager

  1. Run the following command to update the rhevm-setup package: 
    # yum update rhevm-setup
  2. Run the following command to update the Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization Manager: 
    # engine-setup

Important

Active hosts are not updated by this process and must be updated separately. As a result, the virtual machines running on those hosts are not affected.

Important

The update process may take some time; allow time for the update process to complete and do not stop the process once initiated. Once the update is complete, you will also be instructed to separately update the data warehouse and reports functionality. These additional steps are only required if you installed these features.
Result

You have successfully updated the Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization Manager.

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5.1.3. Updating Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization Hypervisors

Summary

Updating Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization Hypervisors involves reinstalling the Hypervisor with a newer version of the Hypervisor ISO image. This includes stopping and restarting the Hypervisor. Virtual machines are automatically migrated to a different host, as a result it is recommended that Hypervisor updates are performed at a time when the host's usage is relatively low.

It is recommended that administrators update Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization Hypervisors regularly. Important bug fixes and security updates are included in updates. Hypervisors which are not up to date may be a security risk.

Warning

Upgrading Hypervisor hosts involves shutting down, deactivating guests, and restarting the physical server. If any virtual machines are running on the Hypervisor, all data and configuration details may be destroyed if they are not shut down. Upgrading Hypervisors must be carefully planned and executed with care and consideration.

Important

Ensure that the cluster contains more than one host before performing an upgrade. Do not attempt to reinstall or upgrade all the hosts at the same time, as one host must remain available to perform Storage Pool Manager (SPM) tasks.

Procedure 5.3. Updating Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization Hypervisors

  1. Log in to the system hosting Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization Manager as the root user.
  2. Enable the Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization Hypervisor (v.6 x86_64) repository:
    • With RHN Classic: 
      # rhn-channel --add --channel=rhel-x86_64-server-6-rhevh
    • With Subscription Manager, attach a Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization entitlement and run the following command: 
      # subscription-manager repos --enable=rhel-6-server-rhevh-rpms
  3. Run the yum command with the update rhev-hypervisor6 parameters to ensure that you have the most recent version of the rhev-hypervisor6 package installed. 
    # yum update rhev-hypervisor6
  4. Use your web browser to log in to the Administration Portal as a Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization administrative user.
  5. Click the Hosts tab, and then select the host that you intend to upgrade. If the host is not displayed, or the list of hosts is too long to filter visually, perform a search to locate the host.
  6. With the host selected, click the General tab in the details pane.
    • If the host requires updating, an alert message indicates that a new version of the Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization Hypervisor is available.
    • If the host does not require updating, no alert message is displayed and no further action is required.
  7. Ensure the host remains selected and click the Maintenance button, if the host is not already in maintenance mode. This will cause any virtual machines running on the host to be migrated to other hosts. If the host is the SPM, this function will be moved to another host. The status of the host changes as it enters maintenance mode. When the host status is Maintenance, the message in the general tab changes, providing you with a link which when clicked will reinstall or upgrade the host.
  8. Ensure that the host remains selected, and that you are on the General tab of the details pane. Click the Upgrade link to open the Install Host window.
  9. Select rhev-hypervisor.iso, which is symbolically linked to the most recent hypervisor image.
  10. Click OK to update and reinstall the host. The dialog closes, the details of the host are updated in the Hosts tab, and the status changes.
    The host status will transition through these stages:
    • Installing
    • Reboot
    • Non Responsive
    • Up.
    These are all expected, and each stage will take some time.
  11. Once successfully updated, the host displays a status of Up. Any virtual machines that were migrated off the host, are at this point able to be migrated back to it.

    Important

    After a Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization Hypervisor is successfully registered to the Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization Manager and then upgraded, it may erroneously appear in the Administration Portal with the status of Install Failed. Click on the Activate button, and the hypervisor will change to an Up status and be ready for use.
Result

You have successfully updated a Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization Hypervisor. Repeat these steps for each Hypervisor in the Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization environment.

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5.1.4. Updating Red Hat Enterprise Linux Virtualization Hosts

Summary

Red Hat Enterprise Linux hosts are using the yum in the same way as regular Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems. It is highly recommended that you use yum to update your systems regularly, to ensure timely application of security and bug fixes.

Procedure 5.4. Updating Red Hat Enterprise Linux Hosts

  1. From the Administration Portal, click the Hosts tab and select the host to be updated. Click Maintenance to place it into maintenance mode.
  2. On the Red Hat Enterprise Linux host, run the following command: 
    # yum update
  3. Restart the host to ensure all updates are correctly applied.
Result

You have successfully updated the Red Hat Enterprise Linux host. Repeat this process for each Red Hat Enterprise Linux host in the Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization environment.

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5.1.5. Updating the Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization Guest Tools

Summary

The guest tools comprise software that allows Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization Manager to communicate with the virtual machines it manages, providing information such as the IP addresses, memory usage, and applications installed on those virtual machines. The guest tools are distributed as an ISO file that can be attached to guests. This ISO file is packaged as an RPM file that can be installed and upgraded from the machine on which the Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization Manager is installed.

Procedure 5.5. Updating the Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization Guest Tools

  1. Run the following command on the machine on which the Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization Manager is installed: 
    # yum update -y rhev-guest-tools-iso*
  2. Run the following command to upload the ISO file to your ISO domain, replacing [ISODomain] with the name of your ISO domain: 
    engine-iso-uploader --iso-domain=[ISODomain] upload /usr/share/rhev-guest-tools-iso/rhev-tools-setup.iso

    Note

    The rhev-tools-setup.iso file is a symbolic link to the most recently updated ISO file. The link is automatically changed to point to the newest ISO file every time you update the rhev-guest-tools-iso package.
  3. Use the Administration Portal, User Portal, or REST API to attach the rhev-tools-setup.iso file to each of your virtual machines and upgrade the tools installed on each guest using the installation program on the ISO.
Result

You have updated the rhev-tools-setup.iso file, uploaded the updated ISO file to your ISO domain, and attached it to your virtual machines.

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