Can you upgrade ESXi host 5.1 to 5.5 using zip file?

[mcgeehonjp]

I have read several KB articles that seem to indicate that to upgrade an ESXi host you need to use either a vSphere Manager or an ISO on CD or USB.   However I have seen someone upgrade from 5.1 to 5.5 by uploading a zip file and running the commands as shown in http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=200893....

When you connect using the vSphere client, it seems to indicate that it has upgraded to 5.5, however I am concerned that this may not be an offically supported upgrade path or might be missing something. 

Can anyone here comment on whether you can upgrade between dot releases using a zip and and the patch upgrade method listed above?

Thanks

[rcporto · Accepted solution]

Yes, this is a supported upgrade path, take a look here: VMware KB: Methods for upgrading to ESXi 5.5

Summary of ESXi 5.5 upgrade methods
This table summarizes the supported ESXi 5.5 upgrade methods:
 



Upgrade Methods
Upgrade from ESX/ESXi 4.x
 to ESXi 5.5
Upgrade from ESXi 5.0 to ESXi 5.5
Upgrade from ESXi 5.1 to ESXi 5.5


vSphere Update Manager
Yes
Yes
Yes


Interactive upgrade from CD
DVD or USB drive
Yes
Yes
Yes


Scripted upgrade
Yes
Yes
Yes


vSphere Auto Deploy
No
Yes, if the ESXi 5.0.x host was deployed using Auto Deploy
Yes, if the ESXi 5.1.x host was deployed using Auto Deploy


esxcli
No
Yes
Yes

And here is the documentation: Upgrade or Update a Host with Image Profiles