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Patch/Upgrade ESXi using command line

ESXi can be patch/upgrade using different methods like Update Manager, command line interface, using ISO, etc. Though my preferred method is to use VMware Update manager as it's easier to patch multiple ESXi hosts, there are certain scenarios where we need to use the command line interface if the ESXi host is standalone and not managed by vCenter server.


In this post we will see how ESXi can be upgraded using offline bundle.


1. Download the desired patch through https://my.vmware.com/group/vmware/patch#search


2. Upload the patch to ESXi hosts local/shared datastore using any file transfer tool like WinSCP. You can also use vSphere Client to upload the patch to the datastore using upload file option.


3. Login to the ESXi host through Putty.


4. Place the host in maintenance mode. You can either do this from vCenter server or run below command from Putty

vim-cmd hostsvc/maintenance_mode_enter


5. Next step is to install the patch.

There are two installation parameters - update and install.

Update command applies all of the newer contents in a patch including all security fixes. Update does not overwrite existing files with a higher version than those being installed.


The install parameter on the other hand overwrites the existing packages in the system with contents of the patch you're installing, including installing new packages and removing old packages. Bottom-line is, be very careful when you use the install option as it may downgrade packages on the system.


To Install -

esxcli software vib install -d "/vmfs/volumes/Datastore/DirectoryName/PatchName.zip"


Where PatchName.zip is the name of the patch file you uploaded to the datastore.


To Update -

esxcli software vib update -d "/vmfs/volumes/Datastore/DirectoryName/PatchName.zip"


Where PatchName.zip is the name of the patch file you uploaded to the datastore.


6. Verify that the VIBs are installed on your ESXi host.

esxcli software vib list


7. After the patch has been installed, reboot the ESX host.

reboot


8. After the host has finished booting, exit maintenance mode and power on the virtual machines.

vim-cmd hostsvc/maintenance_mode_exit


With this I'll wrap up this post here.


Thank you for reading!


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