Updating ESXi 5 - Single use esxcli How To

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Updating ESXi 5 - Single use esxcli How To

Posted by vmroyale on Sep 15, 2011 8:52:02 AM

This is a modernized version of the "Single use vihostupdate How To for ESXi 4.x, which was a modernized version of the "Single use ESXUPDATE How To for ESX 4" post I wrote a long time ago. With vSphere 5, vihostupdate and esxupdate are not applicable for ESXi 5. We instead will need to use the esxcli command to apply the updates to our ESXi 5 hosts.

01: Make sure you have the vMA 5.0 or the vCLI installed and configured or that you have ESXi Shell access on the ESXi 5 host.

02: Download the patch bundle directly from VMware Support. This download will be .zip file. Do not extract it.

03: Upload the .zip file to a datastore that is accessible on the ESXi host you wish to update. The syntax below will use /vmfs/volumes/datastore1, and you may need to adjust as necessary. Note that the .zip file is uploaded to the ESXi host.

Note: In the examples below, the syntax is specific for the vMA. Adjust accordingly, if you are using another approach.

04: Obtain local console access to the vMA and login with the vi-admin account.

05. To determine if the host needs to be placed in maintenance mode, issue the following command:

esxcli --server=10.10.10.10 --username=root software sources vib get -d /vmfs/volumes/datastore1/ESXi500-201109001.zip | grep "Maintenance Mode Required: True"

06. If grep returns "Maintenance Mode Required: True" results, then issue the following command to place the host in maintenance mode:

vicfg-hostops --server 10.10.10.10 --operation enter

07. Verify that the host is in maintenance mode, by issuing the following command:

vicfg-hostops --server=10.10.10.10 --operation info

Note: You could also use the vSphere Client to put the ESXi 5 host in maintenance mode.

08. To verify which VIBs are already installed on the ESXi 5 host, issue the following command:

esxcli --server=10.10.10.10 --username=root software vib list | more

09. To find out which VIBs are available in the depot (the downloaded .zip file), issue the following command:

esxcli --server=10.10.10.10 --username=root software sources vib list --depot=/vmfs/volumes/datastore1/ESXi500-201109001.zip | more

10. To update the ESXi 5 host with the VIBs included in the depot, issue the following command:

esxcli --server=10.10.10.10 --username=root software vib update --depot=/vmfs/volumes/datastore1/ESXi500-201109001.zip

11. When the update is complete, verify the information presented. If prompted, reboot the ESXi 5 host by issuing the following command:

vicfg-hostops --server 10.10.10.10 --operation reboot

12. Verify the patch bundle was installed, by issuing the following command:

esxcli --server=10.10.10.10 --username=root software vib list | more

13. If applicable, take the ESXi 5 host out of maintenance mode using the vSphere Client or with the following command:

vicfg-hostops --server 10.10.10.10 --operation exit

As always, thanks for reading!

52,505 Views Tags: esxi, operations, vma, esxcli

Comments (16)

Sep 16, 2011 12:39 PM

marcusjcliffo… says:

Thanks for this post. In IE item 9's code is hidden, shows find in Chrome - for reference here is the line

The code for item 9 in the list is:

esxcli --server=10.10.10.10 --username=root software sources vib list --depot=/vmfs/volumes/datastore1/ESXi500-201109001.zip | more

Thanks

Marcus

Sep 16, 2011 12:55 PM

vmroyale says in response to marcusjcliffo…:

Thanks Marcus - I believe I have corrected the formatting error.

Nov 5, 2011 12:16 AM

VVJacob says in response to marcusjcliffo…:

I have tried the following CMD and it worked.

esxcli software vib install -d /vmfs/volumes/ESX1Local/ESXi500-201109001.zip

Regards

V V Jacob / Manorama

Nov 12, 2011 1:59 PM

cylent77 says in response to VVJacob:

ok so i applied the patch via the command:

~ # esxcli software vib update --depot=/vmfs/volumes/datastore1/ESXi500-201111001.zip

and here are the results:

Installation Result
   Message: The update completed successfully, but the system needs to be rebooted for the changes to be effective.
   Reboot Required: true
   VIBs Installed: VMware_bootbank_esx-base_5.0.0-0.4.504890, VMware_locker_tools-light_5.0.0-0.3.474610
   VIBs Removed: VMware_bootbank_esx-base_5.0.0-0.0.469512, VMware_locker_tools-light_5.0.0-0.0.469512
   VIBs Skipped: VMware_bootbank_ata-pata-amd_0.3.10-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_ata-pata-atiixp_0.4.6-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_ata-pata-cmd64x_0.2.5-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_ata-pata-hpt3x2n_0.3.4-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_ata-pata-pdc2027x_1.0-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_ata-pata-serverworks_0.4.3-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_ata-pata-sil680_0.4.8-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_ata-pata-via_0.3.3-2vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_block-cciss_3.6.14-10vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_ehci-ehci-hcd_1.0-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_esx-tboot_5.0.0-0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_ima-qla4xxx_2.01.07-1vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_ipmi-ipmi-devintf_39.1-4vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_ipmi-ipmi-msghandler_39.1-4vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_ipmi-ipmi-si-drv_39.1-4vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_misc-cnic-register_1.1-1vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_misc-drivers_5.0.0-0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_net-be2net_4.0.88.0-1vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_net-bnx2_2.0.15g.v50.11-5vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_net-bnx2x_1.61.15.v50.1-1vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_net-cnic_1.10.2j.v50.7-2vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_net-e1000_8.0.3.1-2vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_net-e1000e_1.1.2-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_net-enic_1.4.2.15a-1vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_net-forcedeth_0.61-2vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_net-igb_2.1.11.1-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_net-ixgbe_2.0.84.8.2-10vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_net-nx-nic_4.0.557-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_net-r8168_8.013.00-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_net-r8169_6.011.00-2vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_net-s2io_2.1.4.13427-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_net-sky2_1.20-2vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_net-tg3_3.110h.v50.4-4vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_ohci-usb-ohci_1.0-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_sata-ahci_3.0-6vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_sata-ata-piix_2.12-4vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_sata-sata-nv_3.5-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_sata-sata-promise_2.12-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_sata-sata-sil_2.3-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_sata-sata-svw_2.3-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_scsi-aacraid_1.1.5.1-9vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_scsi-adp94xx_1.0.8.12-6vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_scsi-aic79xx_3.1-5vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_scsi-bnx2i_1.9.1d.v50.1-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_scsi-fnic_1.5.0.3-1vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_scsi-hpsa_5.0.0-17vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_scsi-ips_7.12.05-4vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_scsi-lpfc820_8.2.2.1-18vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_scsi-megaraid-mbox_2.20.5.1-6vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_scsi-megaraid-sas_4.32-1vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_scsi-megaraid2_2.00.4-9vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_scsi-mpt2sas_06.00.00.00-5vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_scsi-mptsas_4.23.01.00-5vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_scsi-mptspi_4.23.01.00-5vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_scsi-qla2xxx_901.k1.1-14vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_scsi-qla4xxx_5.01.03.2-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_uhci-usb-uhci_1.0-3vmw.500.0.0.469512

rebooted after that. the time this time was shorter but it still got stuck for like 2-3 minutes. before it was somewhat longer like 7-10 minutes.

i suppose its an improvement. i dont know what to say honestly

Jan 18, 2012 5:58 AM

escapem2 says in response to cylent77:

worked without problems like this

whole path must be used

esxcli software vib install -d /vmfs/volumes/[DATASTORE]/[PATCH_FILE].zip

Feb 2, 2012 7:05 AM

kevincp says in response to escapem2:

I would just like to say that this is a very well written article. Thanks for the help.

Feb 4, 2012 6:36 AM

WasteOfSpace says:

Maybe a stupid question but is nfs shares supportet as datastore ? if so what is the path ? /vmfs/volumes/ are for a phy disk but what are the path for nfs ?

Thanks

Feb 6, 2012 5:59 AM

vmroyale says in response to kevincp:

Thanks!

Feb 6, 2012 6:01 AM

vmroyale says in response to WasteOfSpace:

Yes, you can use NFS datastores. The path is the same for NFS as it would be for VMFS:
/vmfs/volumes/<NFS Datastore Name>

Feb 18, 2012 2:52 PM

Leathal says:

I have the vCLI installed on my Windows 7 Ultimate x64 workstation, the pearl script manager was installed and is working. I even restarted my workstation however the vicfg-hostops isn't working windows tells me when I enter the command from the vcli command prompt that it doesn't exsist.

Plesae advise.

Feb 21, 2012 5:44 AM

vmroyale says in response to Leathal:

Sounds like a PATH issue. If you took the defaults during install, try changing to the following directory:

C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware vSphere CLI\bin

Run the vicfg-hostops command from there and see if it works. You may need to manually add the above location to your PATH variable.

Feb 29, 2012 1:37 PM

Thanis34 says in response to Leathal:

Errm ... you are on a Windows host, the commands above are for a linux host. So just add '.pl' after the vicfg-hostops and you're good

Step 5 would like this then:

vicfg-hostops.pl --server 10.10.10.10 --operation enter

Mar 10, 2012 1:13 PM

3DDude says in response to Thanis34:

Why did it skip everything?

Command that i used: esxcli software vib update --depot=/vmfs/volumes/backup/ESXi500-201112001.zip

Installation Result
   Message: Host is not changed.
   Reboot Required: false
   VIBs Installed:
   VIBs Removed:
   VIBs Skipped: VMware_bootbank_ata-pata-amd_0.3.10-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_ata-pata-atiixp_0.4.6-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_ata-pata-cmd64x_0.2.5-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_ata-pata-hpt3x2n_0.3.4-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_ata-pata-pdc2027x_1.0-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_ata-pata-serverworks_0.4.3-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_ata-pata-sil680_0.4.8-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_ata-pata-via_0.3.3-2vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_block-cciss_3.6.14-10vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_ehci-ehci-hcd_1.0-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_esx-base_5.0.0-0.7.515841, VMware_bootbank_esx-tboot_5.0.0-0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_ima-qla4xxx_2.01.07-1vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_ipmi-ipmi-devintf_39.1-4vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_ipmi-ipmi-msghandler_39.1-4vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_ipmi-ipmi-si-drv_39.1-4vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_misc-cnic-register_1.1-1vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_misc-drivers_5.0.0-0.7.515841, VMware_bootbank_net-be2net_4.0.88.0-1vmw.500.0.7.515841, VMware_bootbank_net-bnx2_2.0.15g.v50.11-5vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_net-bnx2x_1.61.15.v50.1-1vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_net-cnic_1.10.2j.v50.7-2vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_net-e1000_8.0.3.1-2vmw.500.0.7.515841, VMware_bootbank_net-e1000e_1.1.2-3vmw.500.0.7.515841, VMware_bootbank_net-enic_1.4.2.15a-1vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_net-forcedeth_0.61-2vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_net-igb_2.1.11.1-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_net-ixgbe_2.0.84.8.2-10vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_net-nx-nic_4.0.557-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_net-r8168_8.013.00-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_net-r8169_6.011.00-2vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_net-s2io_2.1.4.13427-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_net-sky2_1.20-2vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_net-tg3_3.110h.v50.4-4vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_ohci-usb-ohci_1.0-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_sata-ahci_3.0-6vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_sata-ata-piix_2.12-4vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_sata-sata-nv_3.5-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_sata-sata-promise_2.12-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_sata-sata-sil_2.3-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_sata-sata-svw_2.3-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_scsi-aacraid_1.1.5.1-9vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_scsi-adp94xx_1.0.8.12-6vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_scsi-aic79xx_3.1-5vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_scsi-bnx2i_1.9.1d.v50.1-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_scsi-fnic_1.5.0.3-1vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_scsi-hpsa_5.0.0-17vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_scsi-ips_7.12.05-4vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_scsi-lpfc820_8.2.2.1-18vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_scsi-megaraid-mbox_2.20.5.1-6vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_scsi-megaraid-sas_4.32-1vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_scsi-megaraid2_2.00.4-9vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_scsi-mpt2sas_06.00.00.00-5vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_scsi-mptsas_4.23.01.00-5vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_scsi-mptspi_4.23.01.00-5vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_scsi-qla2xxx_901.k1.1-14vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_scsi-qla4xxx_5.01.03.2-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_bootbank_uhci-usb-uhci_1.0-3vmw.500.0.0.469512, VMware_locker_tools-light_5.0.0-0.7.515841
~ #

Mar 24, 2012 5:27 AM