SUMMARY: For best performance be sure to upgrade your VMFS Block Storage when you upgrade your ESX hosts to vSphere.
VMFS 3 versions and upgrade paths
Purpose
It is not possible to upgrade an existing VMFS to a later version. However, all VMFS versions work with any version of ESX 3.0.0 and later. That is, ESX 3.0.0 can run a virtual machine from VMFS 3.33 and ESX 4 can run virtual machines from VMFS 3.21 volumes.
Resolution
VMFS3 which was released initially with ESX 3.0.0 as version 3.21 has since evolved with new minor versions:
- ESX 3.0.0 is provided with 3.21 (initial release)
- ESX 3.5.0 is provided with 3.31
- vSphere (ESX 4.0) is provided with 3.33
If for some reason you must upgrade your VMFS minor version:
Warning: This removes the formatting of the LUN and all the data on the datastore. Relocate your virtual machines and files prior to removing the datastore.
- Migrate all the data off the VMFS datastore that you are upgrading.
- Delete the datastore from VI Client.
- On the VI Client connected to VirtualCenter, choose your ESX 3.5 or 4.0 host. Alternatively connect directly to the ESX host with the VI Client.
- Recreate the datastore from that ESX 3.5 or 4.0 host. Click Storage > Add Datastore.
- Migrate the data from step 1 to the newly formated datastore.
Additional Information
Features like VMFS grow in ESX 4 work regardless of the minor version.
Reference:
http://www.vfrank.org/2010/01/31/vmfs-3-versions-maybe-you-should-upgrade-your-vmfs/
http://virtualizationreview.com/blogs/everyday-virtualization/2009/06/vstorage-vmfs-version-notes.aspx
http://communities.vmware.com/message/1071323
http://www.onlinetechblog.com/blog/index.php/2009/11/vsphere-4-0-places-service-console-in-local-vmfs-volume/