vCenter Server version & ESXi Host version recommendations and considerations
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Article ID: 314601
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Updated On:
Products
VMware vCenter ServerVMware vSphere ESXi
Issue/Introduction
This article explains about the recommendations and considerations with multiple scenarios, managing vCenter and ESXi versions when running vSphere environment and VCF Environment
Environment
VMware vSphere 7.0.x VMware vSphere ESXi 7.0.x VMware vCenter Server 7.0.x VMware vSphere ESXi 8.0.x VMware vCenter Server 8.0
Resolution
VMware by Broadcom recommendations are as listed below
Scenario 1:-
Minor Upgrades vSphere 7.0.x :- Example
ESXi version is at vSphere ESXi 7.0 Update 1
vCenter is on vSphere vCenter 7.0 Update 1
Target upgrade to vSphere 7.0 Update 1a
Recommendations and Considerations for Upgrades
vCenter must be upgraded first from vCenter 7.0 Update 1 to vCenter 7.0 Update 1a
Then the ESXi version follows, upgrade from ESXi 7.0 Update 1 to ESXi 7.0 Update 1a
Scenario 2:-
Major Upgrades vSphere 7.0.x :- Example Scenario
ESXi version is at vSphere ESXi 7.0 Update 1
vCenter is on vSphere vCenter 7.0 Update 1
Target upgrade to vSphere 7.0 Update 3
Recommendations and Considerations for Upgrades
vCenter must be upgraded first from vCenter 7.0 Update 1 to vCenter 7.0 Update 3
Then the ESXi version follows, upgrade from ESXi 7.0 Update 1 to ESXi 7.0 Update 3
Scenario 3:-
Minor Upgrades vSphere 8.0.x :- Example Scenario
ESXi version is at vSphere ESXi 8.0 Update 1
vCenter is on vSphere vCenter 8.0 Update 1
Target upgrade to vSphere 8.0 Update 1a
Recommendations and Considerations for Upgrades
vCenter must be upgraded first from vCenter 8.0 Update 1 to vCenter 8.0 Update 1a
Then the ESXi version follows, upgrade from ESXi 8.0 Update 1 to ESXi 8.0 Update 1a NOTE:- In some cases the ESXi version can be upgraded or can be of higher version in minor version upgrades paths For example from above, if the ESXi host has a patch release of ESXi 8.0 update1b then this does not require a vCenter upgrade since this is a minor version upgrade jump
Scenario 4:-
Major Upgrades vSphere 8.0.x :- Example Scenario
ESXi version is at vSphere ESXi 8.0 Update 1
vCenter is on vSphere vCenter 8.0 Update 1
Target upgrade to vSphere 8.0 Update 3
Recommendations and Considerations for Upgrades
vCenter must be upgraded first from vCenter 8.0 Update 1 to vCenter 8.0 Update 3
Then the ESXi version follows, upgrade from ESXi 8.0 Update 1 to ESXi 8.0 Update 3