6.0.1

Each virtual machine compatibility level supports at least five major or minor vSphere releases. For
example, a virtual machine with ESXi 3.5 and later compatibility can run on ESXi 3.5, ESXi 4.0, ESXi 4.1,
ESXi 5.0, ESXi 5.1, ESXi 5.5, and ESXi 6.0.
Table 6‑1. Virtual Machine Compatibility Options
Compatibility Description
ESXi 6.0 and later This virtual machine (hardware version 11) is compatible with ESXi 6.0.
ESXi 5.5 and later This virtual machine (hardware version 10) is compatible with ESXi 5.5 and 6.0.
ESXi 5.1 and later This virtual machine (hardware version 9) is compatible with ESXi 5.1, ESXi 5.5, and
ESXi 6.0.
ESXi 5.0 and later This virtual machine (hardware version 8) is compatible with ESXi 5.0, ESXi 5.1, ESXi
5.5, and ESXi 6.0.
ESX/ESXi 4.0 and later This virtual machine (hardware version 7) is compatible with ESX/ ESXi 4.0, ESX/ ESXi
4.1, ESXi 5.0, ESXi 5.1, ESXi 5.5, and ESXi 6.0.
ESX/ESXi 3.5 and later This virtual machine (hardware version 4) is compatible with ESX/ESXi 3.5, ESX/ ESXi
4.0, ESX/ ESXi 4.1, ESXi 5.1, ESXi 5.5, and ESXi 6.0. It is also compatible with VMware
Server 1.0 and later. ESXi 5.0 does not allow creation of virtual machines with ESX/ESXi
3.5 and later compatibility, but you can run such virtual machines if they were created
on a host with different compatibility.
ESX Server 2.x and later This virtual machine (hardware version 3) is compatible with ESX Server 2.x, ESX/ESXi
3.5, ESX/ESXi 4.x, and ESXi 5.0. You cannot create, edit, turn on, clone, or migrate virtual
machines with ESX Server 2.x compatibility. You can only register or upgrade them.
The compatibility setting that appears in the Compatible with drop-down menu is the default for the
virtual machine that you are creating. The following factors determine the default virtual machine
compatibility:
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The ESXi host version on which the virtual machine is created.
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The inventory object that the default virtual machine compatibility is set on, including a host, cluster, or
datacenter.
You can accept the default compatibility or select a different setting. It is not always necessary to select the
latest ESXi host version. Selecting an earlier version can provide greater flexibility and is useful in the
following situations:
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To standardize testing and deployment in your virtual environment.
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If you do not need the capabilities of the latest host version.
n
To maintain compatibility with older hosts.
When you create a virtual machine, consider the environment that the virtual machine will run in and
weigh the benefits of different compatibility strategies. Consider your options for these scenarios, which
demonstrate the flexibility inherent with each virtual machine compatibility selection.
vSphere Virtual Machine Administration
90 VMware, Inc.