Command-Line Installation and Upgrade of vCenter Server 5.1

This technical note describes how to install, upgrade, and uninstall vCenter Server and related components by using the Windows command‐line interface. The command‐line installation requires you to log on to the local machine.

The command‐line installation process includes downloading the vCenter Server installer, gathering the required data, and using the command parameters and samples in this technical note to install the products according to your specifications.

vCenter Server 5.1 with vCenter Single Sign On 

vSphere 5.1 introduces the vCenter Single Sign On service as part of the vCenter Server management infrastructure. This change affects vCenter Server installation, upgrading, and operation. As part of this change, vCenter Inventory Service is now installed separately from vCenter Server.

When you install or upgrade vCenter Server 5.1, you must install vCenter Single Sign On and install or upgrade vCenter Inventory Service, in that order, before you install or upgrade vCenter Server.

IMPORTANT VMware does not support command‐line installation and upgrade methods for vCenter Server. However, if the installation or upgrade succeeds, VMware supports the installed or upgraded product.