How do I update VMware 5.5 to the latest version on an HPE BladeSystem c7000 with different generations of blades?

Question

VMware

Good afternoon,
1. HPE BladeSystem c7000
2. Different generations of HP Blade DL460c blades are used - Gen6, Gen7, Gen8. Everywhere is ESXi 5.5
3. All this is served by one vCenter 5.5
Please tell me how to competently and gradually upgrade VMware to the maximum possible version on this zoo. Managed by one vCenter.
Thanks in advance.

PS I understand that the latest versions of VMware will not install on Gen6. How to be in that case?
I also met information that updates can be installed on HPE Blade servers via SPP. But again, its HPE Blade hardware comes with its own maximum version of SPP, with a certain list of supported models. How to find out which distribution kit to download for Gen6, Gen7 and Gen8.

Answer 1

Upgrade vCenter to 6.6.5 it supports ESXi 5.5. Accordingly, you will be able to live in a hybrid way and upgrade servers to version 6.6 one by one.
The further procedure is the same. First, see what versions of ESXi vCenter supports, upgrade it, and then upgrade ESXi.
If there is no official support, this does not mean that ESXi will not)

Answer 2

vCenter is better to install 6.7, with a reserve for the future
g6 - 5.5u3
g7 - 6.0u3
g8 - 6.5u3
Just do not forget to update bios beforehand