ESXi 7.0 → 8.0Upgrading from VMware ESXi 6.0 to 8.0ESXi 7.0 → 8.0

Upgrading from VMware ESXi 6.0 to 8.0 is a multi-step process, as ESXi 6.0 is not directly upgradable to ESXi 8.0. You must first upgrade to ESXi 6.7 or 7.0, and then proceed to 8.0.

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Step 1: Pre-Upgrade Checks

✅ Verify Hardware Compatibility

• Check VMware HCL (Hardware Compatibility List) for ESXi 8.0 support.
• Verify that your CPU and storage controllers are supported.
• Run: shCopyEditesxcli hardware cpu list to check the CPU model.

✅ Check Existing vCenter Version

• If using vCenter, upgrade it before ESXi.
• vCenter 6.0 does NOT support ESXi 8.0, so upgrade vCenter to 7.0 or 8.0 first.

✅ Backup ESXi Configuration & VMs

• Backup ESXi host configuration: shCopyEditvim-cmd hostsvc/firmware/backup_config
• Download backup: bashCopyEdit/scratch/downloads/<config_bundle>.tgz
• Take snapshots or full VM backups.

✅ Check Installed VIBs (Drivers/Packages)

• List VIBs: shCopyEditesxcli software vib list
• Some custom VIBs (e.g., vendor-specific drivers) may be incompatible with 8.0.

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Step 2: Upgrade ESXi 6.0 → 6.7 or 7.0

You cannot upgrade directly from ESXi 6.0 to 8.0, so follow one of these paths:

• ESXi 6.0 → 6.7 → 8.0
• ESXi 6.0 → 7.0 → 8.0

Option 1: Upgrade via ESXCLI

1️⃣ Enable SSH & Maintenance Mode

sh
esxcli system maintenanceMode set --enable true

2️⃣ Download and Install the Upgrade Bundle

For ESXi 6.0 → 6.7:

sh
esxcli software profile update -d https://hostupdate.vmware.com/software/VUM/PRODUCTION/main/vmw-depot-index.xml -p ESXi-6.7.0-<latest_build>

For ESXi 6.0 → 7.0:

shCopyEditesxcli software profile update -d https://hostupdate.vmware.com/software/VUM/PRODUCTION/main/vmw-depot-index.xml -p ESXi-7.0U3-<latest_build>

3️⃣ Reboot the Host

sh
reboot

Option 2: Upgrade via ISO

1. Download the ESXi 6.7 or 7.0 ISO from VMware Downloads
2. Create a bootable USB using Rufus or dd: shCopyEditdd if=ESXi-7.0.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress
3. Boot from USB and select Upgrade ESXi.

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Step 3: Upgrade ESXi 6.7/7.0 → 8.0

Option 1: Using ESXCLI (Recommended)

1. Enable SSH and enter maintenance mode: shCopyEditesxcli system maintenanceMode set --enable true
2. Check available profiles: shCopyEditesxcli software sources profile list -d https://hostupdate.vmware.com/software/VUM/PRODUCTION/main/vmw-depot-index.xml | grep 8.0
3. Upgrade to ESXi 8.0: shCopyEditesxcli software profile update -p ESXi-8.0U1-<latest_build> -d https://hostupdate.vmware.com/software/VUM/PRODUCTION/main/vmw-depot-index.xml
4. Reboot: shCopyEditreboot
5. Exit maintenance mode: shCopyEditesxcli system maintenanceMode set --enable false

Option 2: Using ISO (Bootable USB)

1. Download ESXi 8.0 ISO.
2. Create a bootable USB.
3. Boot from USB and select Upgrade ESXi.

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Step 4: Post-Upgrade Tasks

✅ Verify ESXi Version

sh
vmware -vl

✅ Check VM Compatibility & Upgrade VM Hardware

• Check VM hardware version: shCopyEditvim-cmd vmsvc/get.summary <VM_ID>
• Upgrade VM Compatibility via vSphere.

✅ Upgrade VMware Tools

• Update VMware Tools in each VM: shCopyEditvmware-toolbox-cmd -v

✅ Reinstall Custom VIBs if Needed

• If any custom drivers (e.g., NVMe, network, RAID controllers) are missing, reinstall compatible versions.

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Summary

1. Upgrade vCenter (if applicable).
2. Upgrade ESXi 6.0 → 6.7 or 7.0.
3. Upgrade ESXi 6.7/7.0 → 8.0.
4. Verify system functionality, upgrade VM tools, and apply optimizations.