Learn why and how to upgrade to vSphere 7. In latest release, vSphere 7 Update 2 continues to enhance vSphere with Tanzu to create developer-ready infrastructure, boost security, and simplify operations.
Build your hybrid cloud infrastructure faster with vSphere 7 and drop enterprise-grade Kubernetes into your existing infrastructure using vSphere with Tanzu.
Easily maintain configurations with new vSphere tools that increase flexibility and automation. Plus, deliver industry-leading scale and support 50% more hosts per cluster in the latest release.
Simplify lifecycle management for software, patching and firmware updates, and manage modern applications on an intrinsically secure hybrid cloud infrastructure.
Achieve higher device utilization and cost savings when you create a shared pool of GPUs.
Take a closer look at the motivations, benefits, and process of upgrading to vSphere 7.
If you are still running vSphere 6.0, please be advised that End of General Support (EOGS) for vSphere 6.0 occurred on March 12, 2020.
Read DetailsCompare the features and capabilities of vSphere 6.5, 6.7, and 7, from security and resource management to applications support.
View the DatasheetLearn about the vSphere Assessment Tool and other planning resources to assist you in your vSphere upgrade, from design and planning to execution.
Explore Tools and ResourcesEvaluate the readiness of your vSphere environment and discover all components, along with their associated current and upgrade versions. The vSphere Assessment Tool makes it easy, online or offline.
Meet with key stakeholders and, using our product documentation, compile a list of requirements impacting the upgrade decision, such as SSO domain architecture or new features.
Ensure compatibility between all of the components previously discovered in Step 1 by referencing our interoperability matrices.
Visit our knowledge base to understand your upgrade sequence for vSphere and its supported products.
Verify the success of your upgrade. Follow a few of the health assessment steps you performed in the pre-upgrade check to make sure everything is still functioning as needed.
You must obtain new licenses to deploy vSphere 7. Existing vSphere 6.x licenses will not work on vSphere 7.
Licenses will be upgraded to the new version according to these rules:
To ensure a problem-free license upgrade, we request your cooperation in verifying that your license and subscription data are correct. Please take the time to review your account and contact Support [KK1] if the information is not consistent with your expectation. If corrections are needed, please make them prior to the delivery of your vSphere 7 licenses.
Read the vSphere Licensing, Pricing and Packaging white paper.
Get StartedTo upgrade a product to the new version:
The system deactivates your current license for you. New licenses are delivered in the same folder as the original license key. If any quantities of the current key remain un-upgraded, new licenses keys are generated for the remaining portion of the current product and will be displayed in the confirmation
The ability to upgrade a license key depends on:
If you cannot upgrade, contact the Super User associated with that particular account or VMware Support.
Upgrades will be available on the portal shortly after vSphere 7 becomes generally available. All license keys with active support and subscription contracts with an end date on or after General Availability are eligible for an upgrade.
1. Review Your Support Contracts
For additional questions related to licensing, contact Support.
2. Verify Your Role
Go to Account > User & Permissions after logging into My VMware and verify your permission on each of the folders.
The ability to upgrade a license key depends on: