Migrate from ESX Server 3 -> ESXi 6

[KSL28]

Hello,

We are in the process of consolidating our datacenter, and have found an old ESX Server 3 running some critical virtual machines.

A new VMware 6.0 Cluster with V-Center and shared Cluster storage have been established, and we want to migrate the ESX Server to the new ESXi Cluster.

Instead of using the VMware converter which requires the Virtual Machines to be turned off, we want to add the ESX Server 3 to the V-Center 6 server and use Live migrate.

When trying to add the ESX Server 3 to the V-Center, we get the following error message:

When searching for the a possible solution online, ive found the following article - but the solution is already Active.

Cannot connect to the ESX/ESXi host or add it to vCenter Server (1030895) | VMware KB

We are connecting to the V-Center with the Administrator@internal.domain.local, and are trying to connect to the ESX Server 3 with the local root account.

Any help would be much appreciated

[rcporto]

Your problem is due the compatibility between your vCenter 6 and the ESX 3, cause vCenter server 6 can manage only hosts at version 5.0 or higher, see: VMware Product Interoperability Matrixes

[KSL28]

Hello,

Thank you for your answer

Based on the link we need a V-Center 4.1, and also need to update the ESX Server 3 (3.0.1 32039) to update 3 ?

[CamoiAguiar]

Do you install new hosts or upgrade?

If new recomends migrate VMs with Vmware Converter or Veeam

[rcporto]

Installing a vCenter 4.1 will not solve your problem, since the vCenter 4.1 will not able to manage your vSphere ESXi 6.0 hosts... so, my recommendation is to use vCenter Converter to do a V2V from your old environment to the new one.