vCenter Server version & ESXi Host version recommendations and considerations
Article ID: 314601
Updated On:
Products
Issue/Introduction
Recommendations and considerations with multiple scenarios managing vCenter and ESXi versions when running vSphere environment and VCF Environment.
Environment
- VMware vSphere ESXi
- VMware vCenter Server
Resolution
Note: Please review product interoperability at the following link for updated information before upgrading, Product Interoperability Matrix.
VMware by Broadcom general recommendations are as listed below.
Table of Contents
- Scenario 1: Minor Upgrades vSphere 7.0.x
- Scenario 2: Major Upgrades vSphere 7.0.x
- Scenario 3: Minor Upgrades vSphere 8.0.x
- Scenario 4: Major Upgrades vSphere 8.0.x
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
NOTE: In some cases the ESXi version can be upgraded or can be of higher version in minor version update paths, especially when an express patch has been released for ESXi without a corresponding path for vCenter. 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 2: Major 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 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:
- 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 update paths, especially when an express patch has been released for ESXi without a corresponding path for vCenter. 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:
- 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
Additional Information
- For more information about vCenter build numbers, see Build numbers and versions of VMware vCenter Server
- For more information about vSphere ESXi build numbers, see Build numbers and versions of VMware ESXi
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