Install and upgrade vCenter Server step by step procedures
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Install and upgrade vCenter Server step by step procedures

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Article ID: 312076

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Updated On: 04-11-2025

Products

VMware vCenter Server VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

This article intends to be a one-stop place to provide links to step-by-step procedures for vCenter Server install and upgrade. The below scenarios are covered,

  •  Install and upgrade of vCenter server.
  •  Migration of legacy vCenter Server installed on Windows OS to an appliance version

Environment

vCenter Server 8.x

vCenter Server 7.x

vCenter Server 6.x

Resolution

Table of Contents

Everything you wanted to know about vSphere 8 upgrade

vCenter Server 8.x install

To install vCenter Server, you deploy the vCenter Server appliance, a preconfigured virtual machine optimised for running vCenter Server and the vCenter Server components.
You can deploy the vCenter Server appliance on standalone ESXi hosts or on ESXi hosts managed by other vCenter Server instances. 

  1. Review release notes, VMware vSphere 8.0 Release Notes
  2. Review Product Interoperability Matrix
  3. Review Third party Solution Interoperability
  4. Review system requirements. See, System Requirements for the vCenter Server Appliance
  5. Decide on the size of the vCenter Server appliance based on the number of hosts and virtual machines of your vSphere Environment. Also consider any additional VMs and hosts that may get created in the future as well when deciding the size of the vCenter Server Appliance.
  6. vCenter Server appliance can be deployed to an ESXi host using the below methods,
    1. GUI Installer
    2. CLI
  7. After You Deploy the vCenter Server Appliance

vCenter Server 8.x upgrade

  1. Review release notes, VMware vSphere 8.0 Release Notes
  2. Review Product Interoperability Matrix
  3. Review Third party Solution Interoperability
  4. Review Upgrade paths
  5. Review Component Behaviour Changes That Affect vCenter Server Upgrade 
  6. Review Overview of the vCenter Server Upgrade Process
  7. Review System Requirements for the vCenter Server Appliance
  8. If vCenter HA is configured, see, Upgrading vCenter Server in High Availability Environments
  9. If you have multiple vCenter Servers, ensure that the current vCenter Server deployment topology is supported.
    For more information, Moving from a Deprecated to a Supported vCenter Server Deployment Topology Before Upgrade or Migration 
  10. Review, Example Upgrade Paths from vCenter Server 6.7 to vCenter Server 8.0
  11. If you have a legacy vCenter Server on Windows OS, review, Example Migration Paths from vCenter Server for Windows to vCenter Server 8.0.
  12. To prepare for the upgrade review, Preparing to Upgrade the vCenter Server Appliance
  13. Ensure that prerequisites are met. Prerequisites for Upgrading the vCenter Server Appliance
  14. The following methods are available to upgrade to vSphere 8.0
    1. Migrating vCenter Server for Windows to vCenter Server Appliance.
    2. GUI Upgrade of the vCenter Server Appliance.
    3. CLI Upgrade of the vCenter Server Appliance.
    4. Reduced Downtime Upgrade.
  15. Review, After Upgrading or Migrating vCenter Server.
  16. If you need to roll back an upgrade, review, Roll Back a vCenter Server Upgrade or vCenter Server on Windows Migration.

Everything You Wanted To Know About VMware vSphere 7 Upgrade

Easier vCenter Server Updates with Update Planner

Upgrading vCenter Server from 6.5 to 6.7

Upgrading PSC and vCenter Server from 6.5 to 6.7

VCSA Migration

Additional Information

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