Update path vCenter 6.7.0.48000 - Availability of update path or best option !?

[PYLafond]

Dear VMware experts,

This year we updated our vCenter from 6.7 to the latest version "6.7.0.48000" to solve vulnerability issues reported (Advisory ID: VMSA-2021-0010).

Now, we would like to upgrade to vCenter server 7.0 appliance and patch to latest (7.0.2.00400), but it looks like there is no update path from "6.7.0.48000" to vCenter 7.0 as stated in this post: https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/67077.
If I understand the "vCenter Server 6.7 to 7.0 upgrade matrix:" tab, there is a path from 6.7.0 U3n build #18010531, but NONE from build #1801599..

So the question is:

Is there a known date for an upcoming upgrade path from this "awkward" build #1801599 to get up to 7.0 and so on??

____________________________

If there is none, and VMware does NOT plan to release this update path.
What is my best option to update:

1- Downgrade from 6.7 build #1801599 to build #18010531, and then use the update process to go v. 7.0? (Downgrade possible??)
or
2- Build a new vCenter 7.0 appliance and "backup-restore" my vCenter 6.7 in the new vCenter 7.0??

Do we have other options?
Anything I should verify/consider before going forward?

Thanks a lot for your help and advice!

[berndweyand]

have a look at : https://www.virten.net/vmware/vcenter-release-and-build-number-history/

18010531 and 18010599 are the same  - 6.7 U3n. One is the ISO-Build visible in the VAMI, the other is the build visible in vCenter

[PYLafond]

Good to know, ISO and VAMI build numbers are not the same, and still the same "6.7 U3n".
Thanks for that.

But, there is still no way to upgrade from 6.7.0.48000 in the VAMI interface.

If the build are the same version, I don't understand why the last line of the board:
(https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/67077, see: "vCenter Server 6.7 to 7.0 upgrade matrix:" board, at the bottom)

"vCenter Server 6.7.0 U3n 18010531", has 2 "YES" in "vCenter Server 7.0U2c 18356314" and "17958471" colon, as if it has a path to upgrade too!!

Do we just need to upload the ISO "7.0U2c 18356314" and apply it from the VAMI interface??
Why don't we have it in available updates in VAMI if it's the same version, not the same build #!?

[berndweyand]

you can upgrade your version of 6.7  to v7 18356314 or 17958471, not to an older version than these.

you have to download the full install iso of v7, mount this and run the installer as if you would do a fresh install. then you must choose "upgrade" in the installer. this builds a new virtual machine and migrates all settings

[Ajay1988 · Accepted solution]

You can upgrade from 6.7 U3n to 7.0 U2b/U2c 18356314 or 17958471 (VAMI build numbers) ( https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/2143838)
https://customerconnect.vmware.com/en/downloads/details?downloadGroup=VC70U2C&productId=974&rPId=478...
Check this blog - https://miketabor.com/how-to-upgrade-vcenter-server-appliance-6-7-to-7-0/

VAMI updates will only fetch patches ( example-6.7 U3m to 6.7 U3n). For Major upgrades like 6.5 to 6.7 or 6.7 to 7.0 you need full ISO) . 

[Hr_Ross76]

Hi

Just a Tipp:

Make an offline snapshot from your 6.7 vcenter before u start the update procedere...

cheers