Upgrading from 3.5u4 to 4 with local storage

[pmatthaei]

Hello,

we want to perform an upgrade from esxi 3.5u4 to esx 4 on our HP Proliant DL 140 G3 (anybody knows if it is still working with a SmartArray E200i controller?).

We are using just one local storage partition for our vms and the hypervisor itself.

If we would follow the kb here: http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=1009440&sliceId=1 will it destroy the data on it (namely the vms)?

I am also interested as fallback if we could just put in after a esx4 installation the esxi 3.5u4 cd, boot it and run the repair function, will this destroy the data and will the esxi 3.5 then running fine after this action?

I am waiting for your comments :smileygrin:

[Troy_Clavell]

link courtesy of

Also, check the HCL to ensure you are still supported with your hardware

[pmatthaei]

Okay thanks for this.

And what is with the repair option if we have to switch back to 3.5 again?

[Troy_Clavell]

If you have to roll back, the option is to reinstall. I don't believe you can downgrade without a reinstall.A repair would retain your VMFS partitions, but again if you go to ESXi4, I don't know how it would react to go backwards.

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