Which version of vCenter to run?

[chaune-weekes]

Currently going through the VMware VCP6.5-DCV/6.7 course. I eventually want to go for the certification. Personally I run a ESXi 6.5 server that hosts several Windows Client & Server VMs. I want to setup a vCenter server to manage my ESXi instance. I know I can get a trial version setup (though depending on the price I may just buy a license). My question is can I get a vCenter 7.x license to manage an ESXi 6.5 host? I eventually plan to upgrade the ESXi server but first have to get new hardware to support a newer version.

[Adam Gordon]

@chaune-weekes ,

I hope all is well. Great question !!! The short answer is "YES"...

You can use vCenter 7.0 to manage vSphere a mixture of vSphere 6.5 and vSphere 7.0 hosts, in a cluster or singularly.

You can read more about it here:

https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-vSphere/7.0/com.vmware.vcenter.upgrade.doc/GUID-49E8A38B-A356-4665-8F95-38163FB3A220.html

NOTE: you CANNOT use vCenter 7.0 to manage vSphere 6.0 hosts.

If you have any other questions, please let me know.

Good Luck !!!

Cheers,

Adam