Upgrading from ESXi 3.5 to 4.1

[peter79]

Guys,

I'm planning on upgrading an ESXi 3.5.0 (build 213532) to 4,1 and have a few questions?

Is it possible to go from 3.5 directly to 4.1?

I'm planning on doing an in place upgrade is this possible, while I retain my existing config?

What method should I use, I'm thinking about doing it via powercli using the host update commands?

Thanks in advance for any help you guys can provide.

[a_p_]

Yes, it is possible to upgrade directly using the "ESXi 4.1 Update 1 (upgrade ZIP from ESXi 3.5)" package from the download site. Unless you use the Update Manager, you may use the vihostupdate utility for the upgrade. Make sure the hardware is supported and you have the new license key. This may also be good point to do a firmware upgrade on the host and it's components.

Unless you already enabled VT and NX in the BIOS, you should do this too.

see also http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r41/vsp_41_esxi_i_vc_setup_guide.pdf

André

[MauroBonder]

Hello,
as you did not specify which version of VMware 4.1, it would be ESX or ESX (i). If  you have questions, I advise you to put the version ESX (i) that in the  future (ESXi5.0) will no longer have the version of ESX, so either way  you will have to migrate to a version of ESX (i).

Regarding the procedure, since the document is posted ideal.

Good Luck.

Please, don't forget the awarding points for "helpful" and/or "correct" answers. 

Mauro Bonder - Moderator

[peter79]

Apologies if I wasnt clear.  I would be upgrading to ESXi 4.1

[bulletprooffool · Accepted solution]

Yes - this should be a relatively simple upgrade (especially if you have VUM)

Just make sure that you upgrade your VC to the latest version first!

If you do not have VUM - you could try this : http://www.get-virtual.info/2011/03/24/436/

[peter79]

Thanks for that link it looks very helpful.  I should have mentioned that this is a single host we use for testing its not managed by VC.  Can I use PowerCLI to run hostupdate?  Also will I loose any of my current config?