Does VIB acceptance level affect whether or not a VIB can be installed or does it affect whether or not the modules from a VIB can run?
If I have a host with PartnerSupported VIB installed and I change the acceptance level afterward to "VMwareAccepted", will the modules from the PartnerSupported VIB still run or will they be disabled?
It depends on VIB which you are using.
Take a look below:
The following acceptance levels are supported.
So if your VIB requieres PartnerSupported level and you will change it to VMwareAccepted, some VIB can not wok properly.
Manage the Acceptance Levels of Hosts and VIBs
Yup I have read all that already, but although it is pretty clear on how the setting affects whether or not a VIB can be installed, it doesn't explain (at least not clearly) what happens if the level is reduced after a VIB has been installed.
Say for example I have a host set to to VIB Acceptance Level "PartnerSupported" and I install nVidia FRID GPU VIB which comes supplied as "PartnerSupported" I know it will install.
Lets now say that I do not want any further "PartnerSupported" VIBs installed, any new stuff must be "VMwareAccepted" or higher, so I change the VIB acceptance level on the host to "VMwareAccepted". I know I won't be able to install any more "PartnerSupported" VIBs (at least not easily), but... does this prevent the already installed nVidia drivers from working? That is the question I'm really looking for an answer too.
The documents refer to installation, here's another example: Understanding Acceptance Levels for VIBS and Hosts
No idea if you would have an issue at the next boot in the example you give - never played with these settings.
I might see if I an try this out. The problem is the systems are in heavy demand, and the developers don't like changes to the rigs. I might get a chance on Friday, as the system is usually not being used that much.
Because the VMware documentary always talks about the installation of VIB files, I don't think changing of the VIB acceptance level will affect on pre-installed VIB on your ESXi hosts, but as the scott said, it's so risky. Then I suggest to test it on a pilot (non-production) ESXi host, before change it in your critical hosts
"The acceptance level of the VIB is also validated each time the signature of a VIB is validated."
If it is done while restarting host, vib wouldn't work after restart.