Cannot upgrade ESX 4.0 to update 4.1

[Prabhjot]

Hello Everyone,

I am trying to upgrade my ESX servers from 4.0 to 4.1 but I am running into an error.

I have done the following:

1) Downloaded the update1a package and copied it to the ESX host in the /upgrades folder

2) Put the host into Maintenance Mode

3) Logged in to the host via putty

4) Navigated to the folder with the copied update

5) Run the following commands: esxupdate --bundle ESX410-201010001.zip stage

6) Rebooted ESX host, reran the command, still the same error.

When I run the command, I am getting below error on the server.

ESX410-201010001.zip                              #################################################################### [100%]

The following problems were encountered trying to resolve dependencies:

   No VIB provides 'DriverAPI-9.1' (required by rpm_vmware-esx-drivers-scsi-

   fnic_400.1.1.0.113.2-4vmw.0.1.320092@x86_64)

   No VIB provides 'libipmi.so' (required by rpm_vmware-esx-

   apps_4.1.0-0.1.320092@i386)

   Requested VIB rpm_vmware-esx-pam-config_4.1.0-0.1.320092@i386 conflicts with

   the host

For reference I am using below link. I have additionally installed HP System management tools on the server.

http://communities.vmware.com/people/vmroyale/blog/2009/10/12/single-use-esxupdate-how-to-for-esx-4

Thanks,

Prabhjot

[vmroyale]

Hello.

Its doubtful, but can you try stopping the HP agents and seeing if this makes a difference? You may likely have to remove the HP agents and then re-install the latest version of them, after you get upgraded to 4.1.  Do you have any other agents installed, or are you using the Cisco Nexus 1000V?

Good Luck!

[Prabhjot]

No, I don't have any other agents installed, or Cisco Nexus 1000V.

I will try and stop management agents and see if that works.

-Prabhjot

[patrickds · Accepted solution]

The package you have there is a patch bundle for ESX 4.1, you're currently on 4.0.

You'll have to download the full upgrade bundle to 4.1 from the download site instead of the one you have.

http://downloads.vmware.com/d/info/datacenter_downloads/vmware_vsphere_4/4_0

If you're upgrading from the command line, there's a pre-upgrade bundle you'll have to install first, when using update manager this is not necessary.

When that's done, you can apply the 4.1 patches.

You're mixing up patches and upgrades.

[Prabhjot]

Thanks for info Patrick!!

ESX 4.0 version I have is running on build 171294. Could you tell me what all updates do I need to apply to successfully upgrade it to 4.1 from the link below?

http://www.vmware.com/patch/s3portal.portal?_nfpb=true&_windowLabel=SearchPatch&SearchPatch_actionOv...

[patrickds]

Actually you need none of those for upgrading to 4.1.

The site you mention is the patch download site, where you can select patches to update hosts within a certain major version (like 3.5, 4.0, 4.1)

What you need to upgrade from 4.0 to 4.1 (different version) you need to download from the download site i put in my previous answer.

http://downloads.vmware.com/d/info/datacenter_downloads/vmware_vsphere_4/4_0

Click on the download button on the right, next to ESX 4.1

You'll need your login that the license was registered with to access the download.

There will be 2 packages you have to get:

Pre-upgrade package for ESX 4.0 to ESX 4.1
ESX 4.1 (upgrade ZIP from ESX 4.0)

Then follow the esxupdate procedure to first install the pre-upgrade and then the upgrade package.

[Prabhjot]

Thanks for the detailed explanation Pat. This is really helpfull.

I am downloading the pre upgrade and post bundles.

Thanks,

Prabhjot

[idle-jam]

i wish you all the best. another way is to backup ESX settings and do a clean install with the restoration of the settings. http://vmetc.com/2008/10/11/how-to-backup-vmware-esx-servers/

[Prabhjot]

Thanks Guys for suggestions, I was able to upgrade my ESX HOST to 4.1 successfully.

-Prabhjot