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vipersl65
Contributor
Contributor

Upgrading ESXi 4.1 to 5.x

How do I upgrade my server running ESXi 4.1 to 5.1?  Is this straightforward as downloading the 5.1 image and boot my server with it?  It will not wipe the content?

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MauroBonder
VMware Employee
VMware Employee

Hello,

You can upgrade using a ISO via DVD in sever without problem. It´s very easy, but you cannot have virtual machine in localdisk . Check too if your vcenter already running in v5.0 to support manage this server.

This can help vSphere Upgrade Guide

have this unofficial link but can help too http://blog.vmpros.nl/2011/07/13/vmware-easy-upgrade-esxi-4-1-to-esxi-5-0/

source: http://pubs.vmware.com/vsphere-50/index.jsp?topic=/com.vmware.vsphere.upgrade.doc_50/GUID-E8768F10-B...

Upgrade Method

Upgrade from ESX or ESXi 4.x to ESXi 5.0

Upgrade or Patch from ESXi 5.0 to ESXi 5.n

vSphere Update Manager

yes

yes

Interactive upgrade from CD, DVD, or USB drive

yes

yes

Scripted upgrade

yes

yes

vSphere Auto Deploy

no

yes

good luck

*Please, don't forget the awarding points for "helpful" and/or "correct" answers. *Por favor, não esqueça de atribuir os pontos se a resposta foi útil ou resolveu o problema.* Thank you/Obrigado
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Villag3Idiot
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

I'm not sure i agree with the post above...

I had an ESXi 4.1 server in my test lab with virtual machines on local storage. I booted from the CD, chose to upgrade with the option of keeping the existing VMFS partitions and the upgrade completed without a hitch. All virtual machines and data in my pre-existing VMFS were retained...

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MauroBonder
VMware Employee
VMware Employee

Depending of method he need change virtual machines allocated in local datastore (Safety). If you´ll upgrade with CD you don´t have any problem. But before ugprade double check what option you chose. :smileygrin:

Villa what you say is correct .

*Please, don't forget the awarding points for "helpful" and/or "correct" answers. *Por favor, não esqueça de atribuir os pontos se a resposta foi útil ou resolveu o problema.* Thank you/Obrigado
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sgonzalez
Contributor
Contributor

Works fine!! Excelent.

Motherboard: Intel S3420GPLX, 16GB RAM, 2TB SATA disk.

IRMM 3 (Intel® Remote Management Module) = video, keyboard, mouse, usb, iso...

Source VMware ESXI 4.1.

Update to VMware 5.x with all Linux and Windows Virtual Machines, all ok.

After update my hypervisor server remotely I update VMware Tools with no error.

Thanks everybody.

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zikorai
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Good Day sgonzalez,

me too I need to upgrade ESXi 4.1 to 5.1 but i m confused before to start .

Actual situation :

I have one physical server installed ESXi 4.1 and i create virtual machine inside it for vcenter server. and i have three ESXi 4.1 connected to datacenter that contient twenty virtual machine .

My proposition:

To upgrade I have one physical server I will install ESXi 5.1 on it and I creat virtual machine inside it for vcenter server , and also i have other server free i will install ESXi 5.1 and i start to move virtual machine from first ESXi 4.1 to the new ESXi 5.1

it's possible this solution ?

I will be thankful if you can help me

Many thanks

Regards

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Lawrie201110141
Contributor
Contributor

Maybe this link can help http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=203275... scroll down there is a section Supported upgrades to ESXi 5.0 maybe that can help you with your choices.

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Lawrie201110141
Contributor
Contributor

This site also has some great reference docs to help with upgrades. http://vmwaremine.com/vmware-vsphere-best-practices/

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