HPE SPP upgrade before VMWare vSphere 6.5 U3 to 7.0 U3

[Benci]

Hello All!

I have to work a bit old vSphere cluster and I'm planning to upgrade it. However, as like the VMWare products are old, the firmware versions on the HPE DL360 Gen10 server are also old (back to 2018).

I was checking the SPP - VMWare ESXi matrix and I found for the latest HP Custom ESXi image (2023 Sept) the SPP 2023.09.00 is recommended.

AFAIK, the upgrade path is SPP -> vCenter -> ESXi, but I'm not sure if I can update the firmware with 5 yrs, while the ESXis will still run with 6.5 U3 (2022 April) after the SPP update but before vSphere upgrade. Is that possible to jump as high? Can I do the SPP upgrade at once or do I have to iterate through different SPP versions?

[support_s]

System recommended content:

1. HPE ProLiant DL360 Gen10 Server – PSOD with smx-provider crash Admission failure in path: smx/sfcb-ProviderMa

2. ProLiant DL360 Generation 2 Server Maintenance and Service Guide

Please click on "Thumbs Up/Kudo" icon to give a "Kudo".

Thank you for being a HPE valuable community member.

[TVVJ]

Hello,

Please review the Customer Notice for more information.

Regards,

[Benci]

@TVVJ 

Hello TVVJ!

Thank you for your answer, but I do not see how this link could answer my question. Could you please explain it a bit more?

I really appreciate any help you can provide.

[Vinky_99]

@Benci 

Good day!

Upgrading an infrastructure, especially with older components, requires careful planning to ensure compatibility and stability. Here are some considerations for your situation:

>> Ensure that the versions of firmware and software you plan to upgrade are compatible with each other. Refer to the HPE Support Matrix and VMware Compatibility Guide to verify compatibility between the SPP version, ESXi version, and other components in your environment.

>> Generally, it's recommended to follow the upgrade path to minimize potential issues. However, in some cases, you might be able to jump multiple versions. Check the release notes of each component (SPP, vCenter, ESXi) for any specific instructions or limitations regarding the upgrade path.

>> Before performing any upgrades, ensure you have a comprehensive backup of your virtual machines, vCenter, and any critical data. This allows you to revert to a known-good state in case of unforeseen issues during the upgrade process.

>> It's usually possible to upgrade the HPE server firmware using the latest SPP directly. However, again, check the release notes and documentation for the specific SPP version to see if there are any requirements or recommendations for intermediate steps.

>> Once the firmware is updated, you can proceed with the vSphere upgrade. Follow VMware's upgrade documentation for vCenter and ESXi, and again, check for any specific requirements or recommendations based on your existing versions.

>> Before upgrading in a production environment, consider testing the entire upgrade process in a lab or on a non-production cluster that closely resembles your production setup. This allows you to identify and address any potential issues before impacting your live environment.

>> If in doubt, consult with HPE and VMware support for further assistance

Remember that compatibility and support information may change over time, so it's essential to consult the latest documentation and support resources from HPE and VMware before proceeding with the upgrade.

Hope this helps! Let me know..