Upgrade vCenter 7 to 8

[Toan Trac]

Current vCenter below: 

Version:
7.0.3.01800
Build number:
22837322

Trying to follow this instruction but wasn't success on both methods.

Patching/Updating VMware vCenter Server Appliance VCSA through Appliance Management Interface VAM

Method 1 only listed stuff for version 7.  Method 2, didn't see the ISO attached per instruction.  Please advise.

Thanks,
TT

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[ninjabrum]

https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article/372863/quick-guide-to-upgrade-from-vcenter-serv.html

also, make sure you've updated the download urls in VCSA to use the generated tokens.

https://blogs.vmware.com/cloud-foundation/2025/03/24/download-changes-vmware-software-binaries/

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[BarrieS3004]

If you're going from 1 version to the other, you should be able to just apply 8.0,  U3e which is the latest one brings you up to the right version. 

It's a very specific version that you run, the one with FP from memory.

This is the URL  its the 3rd one with the FP in it:

https://support.broadcom.com/group/ecx/productfiles?subFamily=VMware%20vCenter%20Server&displayGroup=VMware%20vCenter%20Server%208.x&release=8.0U3&os=&servicePk=520490&language=EN

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[BarrieS3004]

One more thing, remember to take an offline snapshot backup of the VCenter Appliance first, so you can roll back in case you break it.

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[Alexandru Capras]

For method 2 to work, you need to download the ISO and mount it to the vCenter VM.
I always use this method - probably because we don't have the token configured, and I've just gotten used to doing it this way.

Anyway, if you follow the instructions (upload the ISO to a datastore, mount it to the vCenter VM, then go to VAMI to patch), you'll be fine.

After the update finishes, don't just unmount the ISO directly from the VM... I've seen the UI break if you do it while it's still connected... SSH into the VCSA and run: eject /dev/cdrom

Then it's safe to remove the ISO from the VM in vCenter.

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[Toan Trac]

Thank you guys.  We went with the another method where we mounted the ISO onto a windows server and ran the installer.  At stage 2 it failed but the following procedure fixed the issue.  On stage 2 of the installation at 70% the screen time out but we just let it completed by giving it time and logged into the original vCenter IP address and saw the new version.  

https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article/344775

TT

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[Alexandru Capras]

You're absolutely right - that's the best way to upgrade your vCenter from v7 to v8. I totally missed the title, and now it makes sense why neither of the two methods in the KB you posted worked for you. It's because those methods are meant for patching/updating the vCenter build number while staying on the same version (e.g. patching from 7.0 U3u to 7.0 U3v). They're not meant for upgrading the version itself... for that, you have to go with the method you described. Anyway, I really appreciate you coming back with the resolution and sharing it. :)

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