If you’re currently using vSphere 7, there’s a good chance that you’ve heard rumblings about the upcoming end of general support slated for October 2025. Enterprises that are still running on vSphere 7 will need to upgrade to vSphere 8 in order to stay updated and secure.
But there’s more to this upgrade than just staying current. This is your golden opportunity to access significant improvements in performance, scalability, and security.
Upgrading doesn’t have to be a headache. With Elevate Technology Partners, you don’t have to go it alone.
What Does the vSphere 8 Upgrade Entail?
When VMware released vSphere 8, they weren’t looking to simply refresh their platform—they were aiming to push virtualization and cloud management into a new era.
For businesses still running on vSphere 7, the clock is ticking. Support for vSphere 7 is coming to an end, making an upgrade not just an option, but a necessity. Beyond compliance and support, upgrading is a proactive measure to make sure your enterprise IT systems are running efficiently and securely.
Many enterprises will benefit from taking the time now to prepare. Before making the move, a system health check and updates to areas like virtual switching are must-do tasks. These steps help guarantee that your infrastructure is functioning optimally before vSphere 8’s advanced capabilities are added into the mix.
So, what’s new with the upgrade? With preeminent virtualization capabilities, massive scalability, and enterprise-grade features designed for modern workloads, vSphere 8 is completely reshaping IT.
Benefits of the New vSphere 8
Enterprise IT environments thrive on scalability and strong performance, and vSphere 8 delivers in spades. Imagine managing up to 1,000 hosts and 40,000 machines under a single setup. These expansive resource limits allow businesses to handle growing operational demands without breaking a sweat (or more importantly, without compromising security).
Some will say vSphere 8 is “VSphere 7, but refined.” While it remains familiar to longtime users, there are a few key updates to pay attention to.
For instance, workloads are now managed with a more efficient engine, automating operations like never before. Think optimized Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS) moving workloads intelligently and improving placement strategies. It’s automation taken to the next level.
Memory allocations? They’re amped up, too. With vSphere 8, you can allocate significantly more memory per host and per virtual machine, maintaining incredible performance even as resource requirements grow. This scalability is especially important for enterprises handling increasingly complex tasks.
When it comes to workload management, you’re looking at smoother operations, faster VM provisioning, and improved lifecycle management. Capabilities like Secure Copy and VM templates simplify monotony while reducing manual errors. It’s IT that practically manages itself (well…almost).
Plus, integrations with VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) facilitate seamless operations across workloads. Enterprises looking to take full advantage of multi-cloud setups will find vSphere 8 indispensable, in more ways than one.
How the vSphere 8 Upgrade is Improving Security
Today’s IT landscape demands robust security, and vSphere 8 delivers on this front as well. VMware leaves no stone unturned in addressing security challenges.
New enhancements like silicon-based security tech bring to the table solutions that are designed to meet the needs of modern enterprises. With advancements in encryption and improved controls for identity and access management, vSphere 8 helps reduce vulnerabilities while ramping up protection.
For those looking for implementation guidance, the Hardening Guide is an invaluable resource. Packed with best practices, it helps IT teams fine-tune their configurations to reduce risks.
Add to this the extended library of security features and you’re looking at what amounts to a virtual fortress for your cyber environment.
How to Upgrade to vSphere 8
Upgrading to vSphere 8 is a smart move for any IT team looking to stay current, as you now know, but it does require some preparation. Elevate Technology Partners can take a lot of this burden away from you and off your shoulders, but if you’re curious about the process, here’s a breakdown.
Validate Certificates
First, validate your existing vCenter and make sure your certificates (SSL and otherwise) are up to date.
If your hosts are running version 6.0 or older, you’ll need to upgrade them first—vSphere 8 is only compatible with hosts running version 6.7 and later.
Next, check that you have enough free space on your VCSA (vCenter Appliance) to accommodate the upgrade process. Running an overall health check on your environment is also a must. To upgrade vCenter, you’ll need a temporary IP address, so take the time to make sure all systems are functioning correctly.
Now is also the time to confirm you have access to your site IDs and license keys. Attempting an upgrade without verified keys is dangerous and can lead to significant risks. Essentially, if you attempt to upgrade without keys, you’re leaving your system in a compromised state.. Using evaluation licenses give you 60 days to remediate the situation or you could suffer a potential outage of vCenter, leaving you unable to power on additional VMs on expired hosts.
Also, make sure your support channels are lined up well in advance. This process isn’t something you should try to tackle alone, and this is where Elevate Technology Partners can step in. Our expertise guarantees a seamless transition, as we’ll help you with every step from pre-upgrade health checks to post-upgrade tweaks.
What Challenges Can Be Expected During the vSphere 8 Upgrade?
Even with the most diligent planning (and by following the procedures described above), you may still run into challenges during the upgrade process.
One common roadblock is aging server hardware that may no longer meet modern compatibility standards. To avoid this, you’ll need to access your hardware and verify whether it can handle the requirements of vSphere 8. If not, you may need to do a hardware upgrade.
Another consideration is whether all of your systems needing monitoring are backed up correctly. An unexpected hiccup during the upgrade could otherwise lead to data loss. Because of this, a backup plan really isn’t optional. It’s an absolute must.
If your organization relies on Broadcom systems for support, know that access to reliable support channels is key. You’ll want to establish these relationships early on, and review their processes in detail beforehand.
Again, our team at Elevate Technology Partners can help you check (and double-check) that everything is in place, and to help mitigate risks related to support gaps.
Why You Need to Upgrade vSphere 8 For Your Business
When it comes to business competitiveness and operational efficiency, upgrading to vSphere 8 is a decision that delivers results.
Cloud Support
One of the biggest advantages is its support for cloud-native applications and hybrid cloud environments.
With vSphere 8, you can seamlessly run networks across the globe—as long as your licenses are in order, of course. This flexibility offers unparalleled choice in how you manage your IT architecture.
Cost Savings and Ease of Licensing
Cost savings are another significant reason to upgrade. vCenter is now included with ESXi host licensing, meaning businesses no longer need to purchase it separately.
Licensing has also been simplified with this new version, making it easier to choose bundled options that deliver real value.
Bringing Your IT Team Into the Future
From an industry perspective, vSphere 8 keeps your business aligned with modern IT trends like containerization and the increasing prevalence of AI and ML workloads.
These capabilities bust the doors wide open for innovation, allowing your business to handle demanding computing tasks with greater ease than ever before. Just about every single industry, from healthcare to retail (particularly those with multi-location or cross-continent IT needs) can benefit from vSphere 8’s features.
Ultimately, upgrading to vSphere 8 provides your business with the tools it needs to stay competitive in a fast-paced tech landscape. The efficiencies gained in cost, performance, and scalability make it a worthwhile investment.
Your Next Steps
Thinking about upgrading to vSphere 8? Even though October 2025 might seem far off, the time is now to start thinking about making the switch.
If you’re concerned about how you’ll find the time, resources, or skill sets to perform the vSphere 8 upgrade, Elevate Technology Partners is here and ready to help.
We’ll start by assessing your current environment’s readiness, guiding you through the entire process from start to finish. Beyond the upgrade itself, we can help you map out lifecycle management and backups, making sure your system’s future is just as secure as its present.
Reach out today to get started on your vSphere 8 upgrade!