vSphere 7 went GA on April 2, 2020 and it is a major release. I run ESXi on a single Dell R720 server and running nested ESXi hosts. Here is a link to my lab. Now checking VMWare compatibility matrix, Dell PE R720 is not on a supported list for vSphere 7. Currently, I have no issue running vSphere 6.7 U3. I am curious to know if I can still upgrade to this newer version. I am able to upgrade to vSphere 7.0 without any issue.  I have documented steps that I took. This is just for my reference as well to those who are still running the unsupported hardware. If you are upgrading your production environment, always check the VMware Compatibility guide for the following: 

ESXi host hardware requirement 
Storage Arrays 
Backup Software. 

Dell PE R720 compatibility guide. It shows version supported is upto ESXi 6.5 U3

Before upgrading, I took the snapshot of vCenter Server Appliance and backup of ESxi host configuration. As I have mentioned in my earlier blog, always upgrade vCenter Server before uprading ESXi host.  

1. Download VMware vCenter Server and ESXi from here. For ESXi, I have downloaded both the ISO and the bundle. I will use the bundle to upgrade the standalone ESXi host and ISO to upgrade the nested ESXi hosts.
2. To start installing vCenter Server Appliance, you either mount the ISO for VMware vCSA or unzip it. In my case, I unzipped the ISO.

Upgrading vCenter Server from 6.7 U3 to 7

Launch the Installer.exe

Upgrade process goes through two stages:
– Deploy Appliance
– Upgrade Source Appliance

This process will deploy a brand new appliance and copies the configuration from the old vCSA.

3. Click Upgrade, after launching installer.
   

4. Stage 1: Deploy vCenter Server is straight forward. Follow the steps as show below. Click Next
   

5. Accept the EULA and then click Next
   

6. Enter the source Appliance FQDN or IP Address and then click Connect to Source.
   

7. Provide the SSO User name, SSO password and the Appliance(OS) root password. Also enter the ESXi host name where the source vCSA resides. Click Next.
   

8. Click Yes to accept the certificate
   

9. Specify the target ESXi host where to deploy the new appliance and enter the credentials. Since I’ve single ESXi host, I am going to use the same host where my vCSA 6.7 is located. Click Next.
   

10. Click Yes on the Certificate Warning
    

11. Enter VM Name (Name of the new vCSA)and Set root password and click Next.
    

12. Provide the Deployment size and Storage size based on your environment and then click Next
    

13. Select the datastore that you want to use. I choose Thin Disk Mode since I do not have enough space as required by default installation setting. If you do not have enough space and do not choose Thin Disk Mode, it will show error for not having enough space.
    

14. Provide the VM Network and all the required information as required. Temporary IP address is used only during the deployment. Once the vCSA has been deployed, it will use the IP address used in the old vCSA.
    

15. Click Finish
    

16. From here, it is just a waiting game as it starts deploying vCenter Server.
    

17. Once the Stage 1: Deploy vCenter Server is successfully completed as shown below, click Continue
    

18. Stage 2: Copying data from the source appliance to the deployed vCenter Server takes place. Click Next
    

19. Now vCenter installer will connect to source vCenter Server and do pre-upgrade checks
    

20. It will display if there is any error or warnings. Click Close
    

21. Select upgrade data. Just be careful in selecting the option to copy the data for upgrade.
    

22. I would not chose CEIP option and click Next.
    

23. Click Finish
    

24. Click OK on the Shutdown Warning dialog box. It will shutdown the source vCSA
    

25. Data will be copied from the source vCSA to the target vCSA 7.0
    

26. It will set up the target vCSA and start the services.
    

27. Copied data will be imported to target vCSA.
    

27. Click Close
    

28. Data transfer and vCenter Server setup is complete. Click Close
    

28. Click on FQDN or IP of the vCenter Server. https://192.168.4.32
    

29. Check the vCenter version
    

I will cover ESXi host upgrade in a new blog.