Assistance upgrading vCenter server 8 and appropriate custom HPE ESXi build compatibility

[Johnny5-1986]

Hello, I'm working with my customer that wishes to upgrade to vCenter server8. I believe they want to go to version 8 that's a few down from the latest release. According to update planner in vCenter it would likely be this version of vCenter:

03/25/2024  8.0.2.00300 23504390 Upgrade Critical No

Accoring to Broadcoms support portal this is 2 versions down from the latest build 24022515

vCenter build numbers 

We are currently on:

vCenter Server 7.0 Update 3o 7.0.3.01700 2023-09-28 22357613 22357613

Per the VMware support matrix this should be a supported direct upgrade from our current version to vCenter 8.0.2.00300 23504390.

Per this upgrade path: vCenter Upgrade path 

Does this upgrade path seem accurate? Also, my intention after upgrading to the vCenter server 8.0.x build 23504390 is to upgrade the ESXi host to the most currenty patch level below. 

vCenter Server 7.0 Update 3r

7.0.3.02000 2024-06-17 24026615 24026615

Accoring to this hardware support matrix our HPE DL360 Gen 9 servers are not compatilble with any ESXi 8.x builds. So, it appears updating to any 8.x ESXi version is definitely not supported on HPE DL360 Gen 9 servers. 

HPE DL360 Gen 9 Support Matrix 

Does all this sound accurate? Also, any idea how I can obtain the "HPE Custom Image" build 23794027 for our DL360 Gen 9's?

I have administrator rights to Broadcoms support portal. It appears HPE is now directing users to Broadcoms support portal to obtain the ESXi custom ISO builds for their servers. I'm not able to find a custom build for ESXi build 23794027 I want to go to after we upgrade to the version 8 for vCenter mentioned above.

Ref: ESXi Build Numbers  > Custom Build I would like to go to> Patch

ESXi 7.0 P09 ESXi 7.0 Update 3q 2024/05/21 23794027 N/A Patch

Our current ESXi Build is:

ESXi 7.0 P08 ESXi 7.0 Update 3o 2023/09/28 22348816 N/A Patch

Appreciate any assistance anyone can provide in regards to my questions and concerns. 

[Johnny5-1986 · Accepted solution]

Quick Update: I was able to find the Custom HPE Image on Broadcoms support portal for ESXi version 7.0.3 Build 23794027

HPE Custom Image Link 

I have dowloaded this one:

VMware-ESXi-7.0.3-23794027-HPE-703.0.0.11.6.0.5-May2024.iso(453.52 MB)

Build Number: 23794027

So, I should be good on this concern. Appreciate any other input that anyone can provide.

[support_s]

System recommended content:

1. HPE customized image VMware-ESXi-6.5U3 and 6.7U3 Release notes for VMware vSphere upgrade/update on HPE Hyper Converged 250 and HPE Hyper Converged 380 System

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