After we update ESX3.5 to ESX4.00 we noticed that some vms would not vmotion to a different host. Every time we tried we got the following error message.

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Enhanced VMotion Compatibility (EVC) simplifies VMotion compatibility issues across CPU generations. EVC automatically configures server CPUs with Intel FlexMigration or AMD-V Extended Migration technologies to be compatible with older servers. After EVC is enabled for a cluster in the VirtualCenter inventory, all hosts in that cluster are configured to present identical CPU features and ensure CPU compatibility for VMotion. The features presented by each host are determined by selecting a predefined EVC baseline. VirtualCenter does not permit the addition of hosts that cannot be automatically configured to be compatible with the EVC baseline.

To use the EVC feature, you must be running ESX Server 3.5 Update 2 or higher with Virtual Center 2.5 Update 2 or higher and have only compatible processors that are listed in one of the following tables. EVC does not allow for migration with VMotion between Intel and AMD processors. Note the following restrictions:

• The tables below are based upon public information. VMware has not verified all of these processors. For more information on which servers and processors are supported, see the Systems Compatibility Guide for ESX Server 3.5 and ESX Server 3i.
• This list only covers server class processors compatible with the EVC baseline(s) and might not be a complete list.
• You must ensure the BIOS settings for these processors enable Hardware Virtualization (if available) and Execute Protection. Default BIOS settings may not always enable these features. Hardware Virtualization is Intel VT on Intel processors and AMD-V on (supported) AMD processors. Execute Protection is Intel eXecute Disable (XD) on Intel processors and AMD No eXecute (NX) on AMD processors.

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ESX 3.5 supports multiple SATA controllers. Some of these controllers are supported only in the native Advanced Host Controller Interface (AHCI)/SATA mode with SATA hard-drive, and some are only supported in IDE/ATA mode with SATA Optical Drive. For other controllers, VMware provides support in AHCI/SATA or IDE/ATA mode on both types of drives, but you need to be aware of certain feature limitations and trade-offs associated with each mode.

ESX 3.5 Update 3 introduced support for two new SATA Controllers:

• Broadcom HT1000
• Intel ICH-7

ESX 3.5 Update 4 added support for the following SATA controllers:

• Intel ICH-9
• Intel ICH-10

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What’s New

Notes:

1. Not all combinations of VirtualCenter and ESX Server versions are supported and not all of these highlighted features are available unless you are using VirtualCenter 2.5 Update 4 with ESX Server 3.5 Update 4. See the ESX Server, VirtualCenter, and VMware Infrastructure Client Compatibility Matrixes for more information on compatibility.
2. This version of ESX Server requires a VMware Tools upgrade.

The following information provides highlights of some of the enhancements available in this release of VMware ESX Server:

Expanded Support for Enhanced vmxnet Adapter — This version of ESX Server includes an updated version of the VMXNET driver (VMXNET enhanced) for the following guest operating systems:

• Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit)
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (64-bit)
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
• Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003
• Microsoft Windows XP Professional (32-bit)

The new VMXNET version improves virtual machine networking performance and requires VMware tools upgrade.
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VMware Infrastructure Management Installer | 23 February 2009 (Localized version)
VirtualCenter 2.5 Server Update 4 | 23 February 2009 | Build 147704
Virtual Infrastructure Client | 23 February 2009 | Build 147694

VMware Infrastructure Management Installer | 23 February 2009 (English only version)
VirtualCenter 2.5 Server Update 4 | 23 February 2009 | Build 147633
Virtual Infrastructure Client | 23 February 2009 | Build 147633

For information about the builds that are available for download, refer Selecting the Appropriate VMware Infrastructure Management Installer.

Check frequently for additions and updates to these release notes.

These release notes include the following topics:

• What’s New
• Prior Releases of VMware Infrastructure 3
• Before You Begin
• Installation and Upgrade
• Resolved Issues
• Known Issues

Note: In many public documents, VMware ESX Server 3.5 is now known as VMware ESX 3.5 and VMware ESX Server 3i version 3.5 as VMware ESXi 3.5. These release notes continue to use the previous convention to match the product interfaces and documentation. A future release will update the product names.

What’s New

• Guest Operating System Customization Improvements – VirtualCenter now supports customization of Windows Server 2008 guest operating systems.
• Performance Overview Charts – VirtualCenter 2.5 Update 4 introduces the Performance Overview plug-in, which provides a single view of key performance metrics for CPU, memory, disk, and network without having to navigate through multiple charts. The aggregated charts show high-level summaries of resource distribution.
  To install the Performance Overview plug-in, see Installing the Performance Overview Plug-In in VirtualCenter 2.5 Update4 (KB 1008296)

Go check it out at VMware and read the complete release notes here