Upgrading ESXi 4.1 to 6.0

[bmsite]

We have a PowerEdge T300 Server that is around 6 years old. Currently it is running the free version of ESXi 4.1 off of a 4 GB flash drive that is connected directly to the motherboard. The virtual machines are stored on a RAID array (directly attached storage).

Is it possible to upgrade from 4.1 to 6.0 or will I need to do a fresh install of 6.0 on my flash drive? If I install 6.0 will it automatically recognize my storage repository on the DAS (RAID 5 array).

Also, would 6.0 even work on this old of a server or should I be looking at something like 5.0?

Thanks

[rcporto · Accepted solution]

You have two problems:

1st: your hardware is not compatible with vSphere 6, according with VMware HCL the latest version supported is the vSphere ESXi 5.1 U3:

2nd: you cannot upgrade directly from version 4.1 to version 6, take a look here on upgrade path: VMware Product Interoperability Matrixes

[bmsite]

Thanks Richardson! It looks like it's time to buy a new server then. Are there any advantages of updating to ESXi 5.1 U3 in the meantime?

[MKBA]

EOL for Esxi 5.1 is 2016/08/24,please check the matrix below

http://www.vmware.com/files/pdf/support/Product-Lifecycle-Matrix.pdf

[victorfz]

Hello,

You have the Iso VMware ESXi 4.1?

I need but is no longer available for download.

My server supports only version 4.1.

You can add me to dropbox or similar? There is free licensing issue.

Thanks and regards.