Upgrading from ESX 4.0 to ESXi 4.1

[bshubinsky]

I've got my vCenter upgrade all complete and now it's time to do the actual hosts. Since we'll be losing support for ESX in the future and we really don't have that many VMs at this time I figured now is the best chance I have to migrate to an ESXi infrastructure.

Can anyone shed some light on the upgrade process on moving to ESXi? I know I cannot do an in place upgrade - does this mean that a reinstall is my only option?

If so, what are the steps that need to be taken? Are there some things I need to be aware of before starting?

[a_p_ · Accepted solution]

..does this mean that a reinstall is my only option?

Yes.

If so, what are the steps that need to be taken? Are there some things I need to be aware of before starting?

- If you have vMotion, migrate all VMs off of the host you are going to reinstall

- Make sure there are no suspended VM's

- Remove the license from the host you are going to reinstall

- Disconnect and remove the host which you are going to reinstall from vCenter prior to reinstalling it

- Reinstall the host (maybe that's also a good time for a firmware upgrade)

- Configure networking

- Add the host to vCenter

- Configure vSwitches, storage, time server, licensing, ...

- Proceed with the other hosts

Make sure you also read the upgrade guide, in case I forgot something

André

[bshubinsky]

There doesn't seem to be any way for me to remove the license from the old host. Any suggestions?

[DSTAVERT]

Select the host. From the Configuration Tab -> Licensed Features -> Edit and select evaluation mode.

[bshubinsky]

It won't let me. Says it's expired and I can't edit it.

[DSTAVERT]

You can login to download the free ESXi and get a free license.