Upgrade VMware ESXi 7 to 8 on Nutanix Cluster

Upgrading VMware ESXi from version 7 to 8 on a Nutanix Cluster might sound like a complex task — but don’t worry. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the entire process step by step, in plain and simple language, so even if you’re new to Nutanix or VMware, you’ll feel confident doing it.

If you manage a virtualized environment on Nutanix-VMware ESXi, keeping your hypervisor updated is essential for security, performance, and compatibility. The ESXi 8 release brings noticeable improvements in speed, scalability, and hardware support, making it worth the effort to upgrade.

So, grab a cup of coffee ☕, and let’s dive into how to safely upgrade ESXi 7 to 8 on your Nutanix cluster.

(2) How to Upgrade ESXi 7 to 8 on Nutanix NX G7, G8 and G9 Nodes / Cluster

If you’re managing a Nutanix cluster with NX G7, G8, or G9 nodes, you’ve probably been thinking about upgrading from VMware ESXi 7 to ESXi 8 — and for good reason. The latest ESXi release brings better performance, enhanced hardware support, and tighter security, all of which are crucial for keeping your Nutanix environment stable and future-ready.

Upgrading might sound like a big deal, especially when it involves production-grade clusters, but don’t worry — it’s easier than it looks once you know the right steps. Whether you’re running a small 3-node lab or a large enterprise deployment, this guide will walk you through the entire process in simple, clear, and safe steps.

We’ll cover everything from pre-upgrade checks, compatibility tips, downloading the right ISO files, and performing a node-by-node upgrade on your NX G7, G8, and G9 platforms.

👉 Note: Nutanix NX G6 Node already End of Life & Support (EoLS) by December 2024 and is not fully compatible with ESXi 8 or 9.

(3) Upgrade Nutanix NX G8, G9 Node / Cluster to ESXi 8 or later

Let’s explore the best way to upgrade VMware ESXi to latest versions 8 or 9 or later.!

Note: Always use Nutanix One-click Upgrade option to upgrade VMware ESXi Hypervisor 7 to 8 or later releases

Nutanix One-Click Hypervisor Upgrade (in Nutanix Prism Element or Prism Central) automates the ESXi upgrade workflow across all nodes in a Nutanix cluster.
It does the following automatically:

✅ Uploads and validates your ESXi ISO
✅ Checks hardware/firmware compatibility
✅ Puts each node in maintenance mode one-by-one
✅ Migrates VMs automatically
✅ Upgrades ESXi and reboots nodes safely
✅ Ensures cluster health before/after upgrade

Upgrade VMware ESXi hypervisor from 7 to 8, 9 or later Step by Step below:

Note: Before Upgrading the VMware ESXi hypervisor. It is always recommended to upgrade vCenter to latest or same version of ESXi. If you encounter vCenter upgrade issues. Follow step to step guide to fix the VMware vCenter Upgrade Failed 6.7 to 7.0 to 8.0

Step 3.1: Download ESXi Hypervisor Depot. Zip Bundle and copy MD5 checksum also from Broadcom Download ESXi Portal

Step 3.2: Login to Prism Web UI > Settings > Software Upgrade (AKA – ONE-Click Upgrade)

Click on Hypervisor > Enter MD5 checksum [as copied above] > Upload ESXi Depot Zip > Click Upload

Step 3.3: after successful ESXi hypervisor zip file upload > click on Upgrade button > Enter vCenter IP & Credential

Now VMware ESXi upgrade process will start as shown below screenshot

Once all Nodes will be upgrade will show upgrade status 100%.

(4) Upgrade Nutanix NX G7 Node / Cluster to ESXi 8 or later

Let’s upgrade to Nutanix NX G7 Node / Cluster to ESXi 8 or later. It unlocks enhanced hardware compatibility, faster I/O, and improved hypervisor efficiency on Nutanix HCI Platform.

You’ll gain stronger security features, seamless vCenter integration, and smoother cluster operations. This upgrade also ensures your Nutanix environment stays fully supported for future VMware updates.

Let’s get started and make your NX G7 cluster ready for next-gen workloads with ESXi 8!

(4.1) Enable UEFI BIOS Boot Mode on Nutanix NX G7 Node

If Nutanix NX G7 Node is configured on LEGACY MODE then It must be convert / enable to UEFI MODE before Upgrade to ESXi 8 or 9.

Let’s follow following Steps to enable UEFI MODE on Nutanix NX G7 nodes

Important Note: Nutanix NX G8 & G9 Nodes by default ship with UEFI MODE. So, there is no need to change it.

Step 4.1: Check ESXi host BIOS boot mode to run following command on ESXi Node

root@ESXi# vsish -e get /hardware/firmwareType
 1 -> UEFI
 0 -> Legacy

Note: If above command output is "0" means BIOS Boot is LEGACY that needs to be changed to UEFI mode. Otherwise skip following Enabling UEFI steps [No Need].

Step 4.2: Login to Nutanix PRISM UI Console

Prism > Home > Hardware >Select Node > Enter Maintenance Mode > Pop up windows will appear > Enter vCenter IP and credential

When VMware ESXi node entered in maintenance mode then follow step 3

Step 4.3: Login to IPMI Web UI console of that node which in maintenance mode

Remote Control > Power Control > Launch Console with HTML5 UI

After Launching HTML5 Web console proceed for step 4

Step 4.4: click on “Power control > soft / grace shutdown [#After 1 minute] > click on Power on

Step 4.5: To enter in BIOS settings press DELL Key on keyboard using virtual keyboard

Step 4.6: Enable UEFI Mode > [UEFI Hard Disk: UEFI OS] > UEFI USB CD-DVD

Boot Mode Select > UEFI only. But why not other options ? The reason is mentioned below:

Nutanix NX servers (like NX-G6, G7, G8, G9 or later) use an underlying OEM platform (Supermicro, Dell, Lenovo, HPE, etc.). Their BIOS/UEFI firmware offers three main boot mode options:

Why select UEFI USB CD/DVD as Boot Option #1

UEFI USB CD/DVD is almost always better for Nutanix NX nodes today — it’s faster, more reliable, and easier to prepare for UEFI-based ESXi or OS installs.

• UEFI USB CD/DVD: booting from a USB flash drive (ISO applied to the stick). UEFI firmware reads the EFI boot file from the USB.
• Faster install/boot and much faster file operations.
• Easy to re-create or update (write a new ISO with tools like dd, Rufus, or ESXi USB creator).
• Works on systems without optical drives (most NX servers).
• Better reliability in data center environments.

Step 4.7: Press F4 key on keyboard to save changes >Yes

Step 4.8: After booting up the ESXi host validate the BIOS boot mode to run following command on ESXi Node

root@ESXi# vsish -e get /hardware/firmwareType
 1 -> UEFI
 0 -> Legacy

Note: If above command output is "1" means BIOS Boot UEFI is enabled.! Hurray.

Step 4.9: Login to Prism Web UI again and Exit Node from Maintenance Mode

Prism > Hardware > Select Node > Exit Maintenance Mode > Enter vCenter Credential [ Refer Step 4.1 Screenshot ]

Step 4.10: Login to vCenter Web UI and check if CVM is power-on after Exit ESXi Node from Maintenance Mode
If Nutanix CVM power-on without any issue then upgrade VMware ESXi 8 or later through Nutanix one-click upgrade.

But, Nutanix CVM Fail to power-on after upgrading ESXi and encounter following errors then follow Step 5.1 and 5.2 to fix it section (5)

(5) How to fix Nutanix CVM Unable to Power-on Issue

Nutanix CVM Errors:
* Insufficient resources. One or more devices (pciPassthru0) required by VM NTNX-CVM are not available on host host01.local.
* PCI -pathrough deivce issue
* There is no compatible host to power on VMs

Step 5.1: Need to check if PCI-Passthrough is Disabled on ESXi Node.

Go to vCenter > Select Problematic ESXi host (CVM is not booting up)

Select ESXi node > Configure > PCI Devices > All Devices > Search for ” Fusion MPT -XX” [Refer Screenshot below]

If PCI-Passthrough Device is Disabled then need to enable it by Step 4.12

Step 5.2: Re-Enable “PCI-Passthrough” Device

Select ESXi node > Configure > PCI Devices > All Devices > Search for ” Fusion MPT -XX” > Select PCI Device > Click on Toggle Passthrough to ENABLE [Refer Screenshot below]

Step 5.3: Put the ESXi host in Maintenance mode again [Refer Step 4.2] then Reboot ESXi node to apply changes.

Step 5.4: When ESXi node is booted up successfully > Exit Node from Maintenance Mode [Refer Step 4.9]

Check Nutanix CVM should be power-on successfully and issue has been fixed.!

Now, you may proceed for VMware ESXi 8 or 9 upgrade and follow Nutanix One click upgrade steps as mentioned above for G8 and G9 nodes /cluster.

Conclusion

Upgrading VMware ESXi 7 to 8 on Nutanix Cluster ensures your environment stays secure, future-ready, and fully supported. With improved UEFI BIOS compatibility, enhanced performance, and better resource optimization, ESXi 8 brings noticeable efficiency to Nutanix NX G7, G8, and G9 nodes.

Whether you’re managing a small virtual environment or an enterprise-scale cluster, following a step-by-step upgrade plan minimizes downtime and avoids common issues like CVM power-on failures or boot mode conflicts.

Always verify hardware compatibility, backup critical data, and test your upgrade in a non-production setup before rolling it out cluster-wide.
With proper planning, upgrading to ESXi 8 not only boosts performance but also strengthens your hybrid cloud and HCI strategy — keeping your business aligned with 2025’s virtualization trends.

👉 Have you upgraded your Nutanix ESXi nodes yet? Share your experience in the comments below or join our #HyperHCI Community for open discussions and expert advice.!

Frequently Ask Questions (Q&A)