Can ESX 3.5 and VSphere 5 use same datastores?

[Siegwerk]

Dear all,

we want to upgrade from ESX 3.5 U5 to VSphere 5. At the moment we have 8 ESX 3.5 host and we want to buy 2 new host with VSphere.

Is there anything I have to think of when presenting the datastores to new hosts? Can they be added to the VCenter like 3.5 hosts and use

the same resources?

Thanks in adavance for your answers.

Best regards

Peter

[a_p_]

Yes, VMFS-3 datastores can be accessed by ESX 3.5 and ESXi 5.0 simultaneously.

However, you cannot manage ESXi 5.0 hosts with an older version of vCenter than 5.0. To be able to manage the old and the new hosts, you first need to setup a new vCenter Server (new or with data migration). Also make sure the old hosts are at least on 3.5 Update 5 (see http://partnerweb.vmware.com/comp_guide2/sim/interop_matrix.php)

André

[Siegwerk]

Dear André,

thanks a lot for your very quick and helpful answer.

Our 3.5 hosts have already U5 and last week I updated the VCenter to version 5. So, I think there will be no issue when we make the upgrade.

Best regards

Peter

[a_p_]

Good Luck for the upgrade.

Btw. did you also check the storage system for vSphere 5 compatibility?

André

[Siegwerk]

Thank you.

We have an HP EVA 6400. I guess, it should work