An ESXi 5.5 host can only be managed by a vCenter Server running version 5.5 or version 6.0/6.5 (depending on the specific update release). It cannot be managed by modern vCenter 7.0 or 8.0 instances.
If your goal is to extract data out of an ESXi 5.5 host, you must build an explicit migration pathway. You cannot directly upgrade an ESXi 5.5 host to modern vSphere 7.0 or 8.0 environments due to sweeping changes in VMFS filesystem structures and metadata formats.
VMware offers a free version of ESXi 5.5 known as vSphere Hypervisor. This edition uses a specific license key available through the VMware evaluation portal. Key constraints of the free license: license key vmware esxi 5.5
As environments age, you may need to repurpose or upgrade your licensing.
VMware ESXi 5.5: Architecture, Management, and Licensing Guide An ESXi 5
Are you trying to or license a new install ? Is this for a home lab or a business environment ?
To decide, consider your specific needs: You cannot directly upgrade an ESXi 5
The primary comparison points are as follows:
If you require advanced features, ensure your license is active on a Support and Subscription (SnS) contract:
Click under the Software management section. Click Edit in the top-right corner.
