client 5.5 accessing 5.0 host.

[dzly73]

I'm trying to connect to a 5.0 ESXi host with vsphere client 5.5.  When I attempt to do so I get a pop box that says I have to download client files.  gives me a URL of vsphereclient.VMware.com.  this machine does not have access to the internet.  plus, I should be able to connect to a 5.0 host with 5.5 client.  See attached for dialog box.  anyone have an answer to the issue?

[Alistar]

Hi there,

to connect to different ESXi versions, you need a thick client that is tailored for this ESXi version. They can co-exist together and the binaries are always unpacked to different directories. There is no other way to convince the thick client otherwise.

Download the 5.0 thick client from external source on this handy blog post: VMware: Vsphere Client Direct Download Links - tech :: stuff and then transfer to your required computer via USB stick