Migrate vm between clusters with different cpu generations

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi
• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

• Migrate a VM that's currently running using a higher instruction set to a cluster with a lower functional instruction set level

Environment

vCenter Server7.x/8.x

VMware vSphere ESXi 7.x/8.x

Resolution

1. In order to make this move, you would have to power off the VM and do a cold migration (vMotion).
   
   or
   
   
2. You can apply an EVC (Enhanced vMotion Compatibility) mode at the VM level within an EVC-enabled cluster.  This per-VM EVC setting overrides the cluster's EVC mode for that specific VM, though the VM's per-VM EVC mode cannot exceed the cluster's EVC mode. (see Configure the EVC Mode of a Virtual Machine Important under step 5)
   
   1. Power off the virtual machine.
   2. Navigate to a virtual machine in the vCenter Server inventory.
   3. On the Configure tab, select VMware EVC.
      The pane shows details about the EVC mode of the virtual machine and CPUID details.
   4. Click the Edit button.
      The Change EVC Mode dialog box opens.
   5. In the Change EVC Mode dialog box, select to activate EVC.
   6. From the CPU Mode drop-down menu, select a baseline CPU feature set.
   7. From the Graphics Mode (vSGA) drop-down menu, select a baseline graphics feature set.
   8. Click OK.

Note:  To configure per-VM EVC, the virtual machine must be powered off.  (see Before you Begin from previous link)

Additional Information

Also see  VMware EVC and CPU Compatibility FAQ