The purpose of this blog post is to provide the guidance and the steps needed to upgrade my current ESXi 7 environment (ESXi 7.0.3 Update 3n build number 21930508) to ESXi 8.0 Update 1 build 21495797.
Release notes for VMware ESXi 8.0 Update 1 build 21495797 can be found here. Below is a screenshot of my current environment:
![](https://alarasheedblog.files.wordpress.com/2023/07/esxi7.jpg?w=1024)
** Please keep in mind, this guides applies to my personal home lab environment so please proceed with caution and take the appropriate steps including documentation to ensure you have a successful backup. **
I downloaded the Dell Custom Image for ESXi 8.0U1 here:
![](https://alarasheedblog.files.wordpress.com/2023/07/dell-custom-image.jpg?w=1024)
Since I was planning to boot to a USB thumb drive to conduct the in-place upgrade, I used Rufus to convert the installer. You can learn more about this process here.
I then rebooted my server via my IDRAC interface. Next, go into the BIOS Boot Manager to boot from the USB drive, select F11 and then BIOS Boot Menu:
![](https://alarasheedblog.files.wordpress.com/2023/07/1a.jpg?w=1024)
![](https://alarasheedblog.files.wordpress.com/2023/07/1.jpg?w=1024)
Select the USB drive to boot to:
![](https://alarasheedblog.files.wordpress.com/2023/07/3.jpg?w=1024)
![](https://alarasheedblog.files.wordpress.com/2023/07/4.jpg?w=1024)
ESXI 8 will then begin to load:
![](https://alarasheedblog.files.wordpress.com/2023/07/5.jpg?w=1024)
![](https://alarasheedblog.files.wordpress.com/2023/07/6.jpg?w=1024)
Select Enter to continue, followed by F11 to Accept the License Agreement:
![](https://alarasheedblog.files.wordpress.com/2023/07/7.jpg?w=1024)
![](https://alarasheedblog.files.wordpress.com/2023/07/8.jpg?w=1024)
Select the drive you’d like to install ESXi 8 onto:
![](https://alarasheedblog.files.wordpress.com/2023/07/9.jpg?w=1024)
![](https://alarasheedblog.files.wordpress.com/2023/07/10.jpg?w=1024)
Since I’m doing an in-place upgrade, I selected the first option from the list:
![](https://alarasheedblog.files.wordpress.com/2023/07/11.jpg?w=1024)
Since my Dell PowerEdge 720XD is not listed on VMware’s HCL, I selected Enter on the next two pop-ups followed by F11 to force the installation:
![](https://alarasheedblog.files.wordpress.com/2023/07/12.jpg?w=1024)
![](https://alarasheedblog.files.wordpress.com/2023/07/13.jpg?w=1024)
![](https://alarasheedblog.files.wordpress.com/2023/07/14.jpg?w=1024)
The ESXI 8 upgrade installation begins:
![](https://alarasheedblog.files.wordpress.com/2023/07/15.jpg?w=1024)
![](https://alarasheedblog.files.wordpress.com/2023/07/16.jpg?w=1024)
![](https://alarasheedblog.files.wordpress.com/2023/07/17.jpg?w=1024)
The upgrade is complete:
![](https://alarasheedblog.files.wordpress.com/2023/07/20-1.jpg?w=1024)
![](https://alarasheedblog.files.wordpress.com/2023/07/21-1.jpg?w=1024)
![](https://alarasheedblog.files.wordpress.com/2023/07/22.jpg?w=1024)
Next, I’ll need to apply the license key for v8 via my VMware vExpert account:
![](https://alarasheedblog.files.wordpress.com/2023/07/23.jpg?w=1024)
![](https://alarasheedblog.files.wordpress.com/2023/07/24.jpg?w=1024)
As you can see from the image below, the upgrade is complete:
![](https://alarasheedblog.files.wordpress.com/2023/07/v8.jpg?w=1024)
If I have missed anything or if you have any suggestions, please let me know.
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