Upgrading ESX 4.0 to ESXi

[Capnscarlet]

We are running ESX 4.0 and would like to migrate to ESXi. Are there any caveats or is it pretty straightforward?

We eventually would like to get to 5.0, but I believe i need to go to EXSi 4 first. Correct?

[mcowger · Accepted solution]

ESX->ESXi isn't an upgrade.  Its a complete reinstall, and you'd need to rebuild each upgraded host from scratch onto ESXi.

However, beyond that, if you know how to setup your hosts, its done pretty much the same way from the API or the GUI - all the same features exist.

[MauroBonder]

ESX --> ESXi only with fresh installation directly to ESX(i)5.0.

[Troy_Clavell]

if you have vCenter5 and VUM 5 you can upgrade ESX 4.0 to ESXi5 via Update Manager.

With that said, I too would prefer a rebuild to ESXi

[Capnscarlet]

Thank you!

[Capnscarlet]

Thank you!

[Capnscarlet]

Thank you!