Re: Upgrade VCSA from 7.0.3 and ESXi from 6.5.0

rlink7549 · ‎08-10-2023

Hello,

This is possibly an odd situation and question.

I currently have an HPE server (DL360p Gen 8 that is EOL and the latest version that I can put on it is 6.5.0 U3 and I have 6.5.0 U2 installed.

I also have a VCSA with 7.0.3 (build 20845200).

We are getting a new server (HPE DL360 Gen 10) and I would like to put the latest version of ESXi on it (8.0.1 Build 21813344).

The problem and or question is: How to upgrade the VCSA/vSphere if the server is on 8, it's not compatible with ESXi 6.5. Doesn't the upgrade process contact the server?

I thought about installing ESXi 7.0 on the new server and upgrading from there but I didn't know what kind of problems I would run into either.

So the question is how do I put in the new server with ESXi 8.0.1 and upgrade the existing VCSA/vSphere to 8.0.1?

Does the VCSA need a compatibility change as it currently shows: ESXi 5.5 and later (VM version 10)?

Any help and or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Rusty

jsm79 · ‎08-10-2023

I've installed ESXi 7u3 (and 8, for that matter) on legacy unsupported servers, including a Dell R720 (12th gen, 2012-2013 server, for reference) in my homelab, and a SuperMicro server at work (probably made in that same 2013 time period) with no issues. I get warnings about unsupported CPU, but that can be bypassed. I think the HP Gen8 servers were made in 2013-2014, so you'd probably be OK running at least ESXi 7.

maksym007 · ‎08-10-2023

Install vCenter7 and you will be able to manage all your ESXi hosts.

Especially when its PROD env.

Sachchidanand · ‎08-10-2023

It's better to run ESXi 7 on new node if you want to manage both host through vCenter.

It will help in future to migrate old host's vm to new host and after that you can think of upgrading your whole infra to vsphere 8.

Regards,

Sachchidanand

rlink7549 · ‎08-11-2023

Hello Sachchidanand,

If I understand you correctly, you're saying to install ESXi 7 on the new server, add it as a host in vCenter then move the VMs over to it? After that is done and everything is working correctly, then do an normal upgrade to 8 on both ESXi and VCSA/vSphere like they had been 7 all along?

I was thinking along those lines before I submitted this post. We are a small office (one host, 6 VMs) and after the VMware partner shot themselves in the foot over a Fortinet licensing issue (long story), I have been the sole support. I have had to teach myself anything needed to maintain and expand this office. After the initial support expired, the boss just wanted to keep a subscription only agreement just so we could get software updates. I have had to figure out everything by myself. I have added drives in the MSA SAN on two different occasions to add two datastores, I have upgraded from 5.5 to 6.0 to 6.5, etc so I have learned a lot. It's actually good when there are issues as that's when you have to do research and sometimes, trial and error to get to the desired outcome.

I do appreciate your help and after doing a little more research and downloading the appropriate software, I will be attempting this on next Friday.

Rusty

Sachchidanand · ‎08-11-2023

Hello Rusty,

Users at the remote only suggest and give direction, but at end of the story everyone has to make it by himself.

I am not saying your immediatly migrate the VMs and do upgrade. You can do in steps like add both the hosts in vCenter and one by one, you can migrate VMs. It will give you enough time to plan and migrate and then you may plan for upgrade to next level.

Regards,

Sachchidanand