v1.1.1 — The switch is created at a version the hosts can join

The first ESXi 8 cluster built behind a 9.1.1 vCenter: the appliance deployed, the cluster formed, the hosts joined, NTP was set, and the host attach to the distributed switch failed with "the operation is not supported on the object". A vCenter left to choose builds the newest switch it can, version 9 here, and an ESXi 8 host cannot join one.

deploy_vc.py now creates the switch at network.vds_version, 8.0.3 unless set, and blocks the vds step when a switch already exists at another version, naming both, because a distributed switch is upgraded one way only: delete it in the vSphere Client and run the step again. A per-site esx: block replaces the shared one for a site whose hosts run a different build. A configured vmkernel gateway that is missing on a host is now set on commit and read back; one nobody asked for is still only reported. 264 self-test checks.

Built and proved out for essential.coach.
Full write-up: https://essential.coach/importing-esxi-8-into-vcf-9-1/

GPL-3.0. Example names only. Nothing secret is printed.