ESXi 6.5.0d Patches to update

[Uppicu]

Hi,

We have 10+ Hosts running ESXi 6.5.0d version, what is best practice to update latest patches.

All hosts are managing through vCenter server (Linux Appliance).

Will there be a downtime when patching ESXi, if yes, how many minutes?

can someone help me?

Thanks,

Upendra

[diegodco31]

Hi

To update hosts i prefer use of update manager or it may be an option to upgrade the hosts from the command line using the offline/zip bundle..

Step by step:

How to patch ESXi with Update Manager

Evacuate a host, enable Maintenence Mode.  Window to the update 20 maximum.

Upgrade ESXi from the command line using the following command

esxcli software profile install -d /vmfs/volumes/<shared-datastore>/Patches/<zip-file> -p <profile name> --ok-to-remove --dry-run

The --dry-run argument can be used for a test run. If you are satisfied with the command's result, run the command without this argument again.

Note: To find out the profile name that's required for the update command, run esxcli software sources profile list -d /vmfs/volumes/<shared-datastore>/Patches/<zip-file>

After the host has rebooted, check whether the configuration is ok (storage, networking, NTP, ...) before you exit Maintenance Mode

Please consider marking this answer "correct" or "helpful" if you think your question have been answered correctly.

[a_p_]

With the number of hosts, and vCSA 6.5 in place, I'd suggest you use the built in Update Manager to patch/update the hosts.

I usually create a fixed host patch baseline, which I then use to remediate all of the hosts. In case the host has been installed with a hardware vendor's customized image, check whether it is necessary to include vendor specific patched (e.g. updated drivers, or tools) in the host patch baseline!

André