User Story

As a Platform Administrator installing OCP using IPI on vSphere 7.x, I want to receive a clear deprecation warning so that I can plan for infrastructure upgrades to maintain a fully supported environment.

Description

Implement pre-flight checks and warning messages in the openshift-installer for IPI installations when vSphere 7.x is detected, as part of Step 1 of the vSphere 7.x deprecation strategy.

Acceptance Criteria

Pre-flight Check Implementation

• [ ] Add vCenter version detection logic to openshift-installer
• [ ] Implement check that identifies vSphere 7.x environments during IPI installation
• [ ] Ensure check runs early in the installation process
• [ ] Version detection works across all vSphere 7.x point releases
• [ ] Check handles network connectivity issues gracefully

Warning Message Implementation

• [ ] Display clear, non-blocking warning message when vSphere 7.x is detected
• [ ] Warning message includes deprecation timeline and recommendations
• [ ] Message appears prominently in installer output
• [ ] Warning allows installation to proceed without interruption
• [ ] Message formatting is consistent with other installer warnings

Message Content Requirements

• [ ] Clearly states that vSphere 7.x support is deprecated
• [ ] Provides timeline for when support will be removed
• [ ] Includes recommendation to upgrade to vSphere 8.x or higher
• [ ] References official documentation for upgrade guidance
• [ ] Maintains professional and helpful tone

Testing and Validation

• [ ] Warning appears correctly on all vSphere 7.x versions
• [ ] Installation completes successfully after warning display
• [ ] No warnings appear on vSphere 8.x or higher
• [ ] Warning message is logged appropriately
• [ ] Edge cases handled (version detection failures, timeouts)

Definition of Done

• vSphere 7.x detection working in openshift-installer
• Deprecation warning displays correctly during IPI installations
• Installation process unaffected by warning implementation
• Code reviewed and merged to appropriate branches