How to update EXSi v7.0.2 and Client 1.34.8

[gangelo1]

I am having trouble knowing where to begin updating my Dell server running ESXi 7.0.2:

Client version: 1.34.8

Client build number: 17417756

ESXi version: 7.0.2

ESXi build number: 17867351

I am not using vCenter, this is a stand-alone machine. I tried the web interface and don't have a clue what url to use or what .vib to download. I know how to put my machine in maintenance mode, upload files, .iso's, get a shell into the host machine, etc. but don't know where to get the url and/or .vibs. Can someone steer me in the right direction?

[a_p_]

The easiest way might be to update the host interactively by booting the host from the latest Dell customized CD/ISO image.

As an alternative, download the  latest Dell customized Offline Bundle und update the host from the command line, using the esxcli command line utility.

André

[pashnal]

HI , 

Your client will be upgraded when you upgrade the ESXI version , There is no vib for that . To upgrade the host please use the Dell custom ISO and mount that in IDRAC console and reboot the server to boot from the ISO file . 

Second option is from CLI  , Download the offline bundle from dell . 

#esxcli software vib install -d /path/to/offline-bundle.zip 

Note : Please Unzip and run the embedded zip file.

Thanks 

[gangelo1]

Thank you for your help. I was able to try this and received the following error, any ideas?

[X......X@localhost:~] esxcli software vib install -d /vmfs/volumes/datastore1/vibs/Dell_Addon_7.0.3_A09.zip
[DependencyError]
VIB MVL_bootbank_qlnativefc_5.3.2.0-1OEM.703.0.0.18644231 requires vmkapi_2_9_0_0, but the requirement cannot be satisfied within the ImageProfile.
Please refer to the log file for more details.

The log it reference is:

[x...x@localhost:~] cat /var/log/esxcli.log
[2023-07-12 18:27:43,010 root ERROR] install failed:  [DependencyError]
 VIB MVL_bootbank_qlnativefc_5.3.2.0-1OEM.703.0.0.18644231 requires vmkapi_2_9_0_0, but the requirement cannot be satisfied within the ImageProfile.
 Please refer to the log file for more details.

UPDATE: I needed to unzip Dell_Addon_7.0.3_A09.zip and run the .zip that was in the .zip file, in my case:

esxcli software vib install -d /vmfs/volumes/datastore1/vibs/VMware-ESXi-7.0U3n-21930508-depot.zip

[gangelo1]

Make mention the fact that you have to unzip and run the embedded .zip (see my updated post) and I'll mark your answer as correct.

[pashnal]

Hi @gangelo1 

No do not unzip the file , Please use the below command to ignore the dependencies and force the install 

esxcli software vib install -d /vmfs/volumes/datastore1/vibs/Dell_Addon_7.0.3_A09.zip -f 

Dependencies is caused due to image profile as your previous image profile dose not have the reqired vib . Please use the above command which will resolve your issue . 

Mark this as solution if it resolves your issue . 

Thanks , 

Pramod Ashnal 

[michelkeus_stwg]

@gangelo1 

There are easier methods of downloading updates for your standalone host if you are able to provide it internet-access to download those and you don't need the modified drivers.

To retrieve your existing Image Profile:

esxcli software profile get

For me on my home server this currently returns:

(Updated) ESXi-7.0U3i-20842708-standard
   Name: (Updated) ESXi-7.0U3i-20842708-standard
   Vendor: VMware, Inc.
   Creation Time: 2023-01-20T13:35:03
   Modification Time: 2023-07-13T10:20:55
   Stateless Ready: True
   Description:

      2023-01-20T13:35:00.309313+00:00: The following VIBs are
      installed:
        ne1000        0.9.0-1vmw.703.0.50.20036589
        vsanhealth    7.0.3-0.65.20842708
        cpu-microcode 7.0.3-0.65.20842708
<....output truncated...>

This shows the current Image Profile that is used. For me that is ESXi 7.0 Update 3i with the "standard" profile that includes the VMware Tools too. To perform an online upgrade you can query the VMware server to provide you with a list of the current profiles on it.

Allow HTTP on the server (If blocked):

esxcli network firewall ruleset set -e true -r httpClient

To list the profiles for v7 (you can actually also use it for major upgrades by picking an v8 profile):

esxcli software sources profile list --depot=https://hostupdate.vmware.com/software/VUM/PRODUCTION/main/vmw-depot-index.xml | grep -i ESXi-7.0

For me it lists (it may take a while to list, be patient):

ESXi-7.0.0-15843807-standard      VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported  2020-03-16T10:48:54  2020-03-16T10:48:54
ESXi-7.0.0-15843807-no-tools      VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported  2020-03-16T10:48:54  2020-03-16T10:48:54
<...output truncated...>
ESXi-7.0U3g-20328353-standard     VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported  2022-09-01T00:00:00  2022-09-01T00:00:00
ESXi-7.0U3g-20328353-no-tools     VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported  2022-09-01T00:00:00  2022-08-23T03:00:16
ESXi-7.0U3si-20841705-standard    VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported  2022-12-08T00:00:00  2022-12-08T00:00:00
ESXi-7.0U3si-20841705-no-tools    VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported  2022-12-08T00:00:00  2022-11-24T01:25:32
ESXi-7.0U3i-20842708-standard     VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported  2022-12-08T00:00:00  2022-12-08T00:00:00
ESXi-7.0U3i-20842708-no-tools     VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported  2022-12-08T00:00:00  2022-11-24T05:06:48
ESXi-7.0U3j-21053776-standard     VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported  2023-01-31T00:00:00  2023-01-31T00:00:00
ESXi-7.0U3j-21053776-no-tools     VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported  2023-01-31T00:00:00  2023-01-02T12:08:15
ESXi-7.0U3k-21313628-standard     VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported  2023-02-21T00:00:00  2023-02-21T00:00:00
ESXi-7.0U3k-21313628-no-tools     VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported  2023-02-21T00:00:00  2023-02-18T08:57:33
ESXi-7.0U3sl-21422485-standard    VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported  2023-03-30T00:00:00  2023-03-30T00:00:00
ESXi-7.0U3sl-21422485-no-tools    VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported  2023-03-30T00:00:00  2023-03-10T16:04:06
ESXi-7.0U3l-21424296-standard     VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported  2023-03-30T00:00:00  2023-03-30T00:00:00
ESXi-7.0U3l-21424296-no-tools     VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported  2023-03-30T00:00:00  2023-03-11T01:18:32
ESXi-7.0U3m-21686933-standard     VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported  2023-05-03T00:00:00  2023-05-03T00:00:00
ESXi-7.0U3m-21686933-no-tools     VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported  2023-05-03T00:00:00  2023-04-28T16:03:19
ESXi-7.0U3n-21930508-standard     VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported  2023-07-06T00:00:00  2023-07-06T00:00:00
ESXi-7.0U3n-21930508-no-tools     VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported  2023-07-06T00:00:00  2023-06-15T12:39:40

This list shows all the profiles present on the server; from the earliest release until the last one released a week ago (at time of writing).

To install the profile you want select it from the list and run the command below (I will pick the latest to update mine from 7.0U3i to 7.0U3n):

esxcli software profile update -d https://hostupdate.vmware.com/software/VUM/PRODUCTION/main/vmw-depot-index.xml -p ESXi-7.0U3n-21930508-standard

This command lets the server reach-out to the VMware servers to download the profile and corresponding components and update your server. Unfortunately the command does not provide any feedback until it completes.

In my case I have older hardware which does not support v8 it resulted in an error:

 [HardwareError]
 Hardware precheck of profile ESXi-7.0U3n-21930508-standard failed with warnings: <CPU_SUPPORT WARNING: The CPU in this host may not be supported in future ESXi releases. Please plan accordingly.>

 Apply --no-hardware-warning option to ignore the warnings and proceed with the transaction.
 Please refer to the log file for more details.

After applying the "--no-hardware-warning" flag it completed as expected:

Update Result
   Message: The update completed successfully, but the system needs to be rebooted for the changes to be effective.
   Reboot Required: true
   VIBs Installed: VMW_bootbank_ntg3_4.1.9.0-5vmw.703.0.90.21686933, VMW_bootbank_nvme-pcie_1.2.3.16-2vmw.703.0.85.21424296, VMW_bootbank_vmkusb_0.1-8vmw.703.0.85.21424296, VMware_bootbank_bmcal_7.0.3-0.95.21930508, VMware_bootbank_cpu-microcode_7.0.3-0.95.21930508, VMware_bootbank_crx_7.0.3-0.95.21930508, VMware_bootbank_esx-base_7.0.3-0.95.21930508
<...output truncated...>
   VIBs Removed: VMW_bootbank_ntg3_4.1.8.0-4vmw.703.0.65.20842708, VMW_bootbank_nvme-pcie_1.2.3.16-1vmw.703.0.20.19193900, VMW_bootbank_vmkusb_0.1-7vmw.703.0.50.20036589, VMware_bootbank_bmcal_7.0.3-0.65.20842708, VMware_bootbank_cpu-microcode_7.0.3-0.65.20842708, 
<...output truncated...>

Post-update my server has the new output from the first command:

(Updated) ESXi-7.0U3n-21930508-standard
   Name: (Updated) ESXi-7.0U3n-21930508-standard
   Vendor: VMware, Inc.
   Creation Time: 2023-07-13T10:44:18
   Modification Time: 2023-07-13T10:59:18
   Stateless Ready: True
   Description:

      2023-07-13T10:44:14.814863+00:00: The following VIBs are
      installed:
        trx   7.0.3-0.95.21930508
        esx-ui        2.9.2-21141530
        native-misc-drivers   7.0.3-0.95.21930508
        vsanhealth    7.0.3-0.95.21930508
        cpu-microcode 7.0.3-0.95.21930508
<...output truncated...>

This way of working with Image Profiles can also be applied to Vendor ISO's and Depot files if you really need the additional drivers. But if you do not then this might be the easiest way of keeping your server updated. 

[michelkeus_stwg]

You can prevent mismatches with the Image Profiles by using the depots correctly:

1. Download the depot file from VMware sites (Choose vSphere > Custom ISOs > pick vendor).
2. Upload the depot file to your server.
3. Query your system for the current Image Profile:

esxcli software profile get

4. After getting your correct profile, query the depot for the profiles and match the type of profile from (3.) to your output:

esxcli software sources profile list --depot=/vmfs/volumes/5d051ddb-3f1cba68-813a-24be052464ca/VMware-VMvisor-Installer-7.0.0.update03-21686933.x86_6
4-Dell_Customized-A12.zip
Name                       Vendor     Acceptance Level  Creation Time        Modification Time
-------------------------  ---------  ----------------  -------------------  -----------------
DEL-ESXi-703_21686933-A12  Dell Inc.  PartnerSupported  2023-06-01T05:29:01  2023-06-01T05:29:01

5. Apply the profile from the bundle:

esxcli software profile update --depot=/vmfs/volumes/5d051ddb-3f1cba68-813a-24be052464ca/VMware-VMvisor-Installer-7.0.0.update03-21686933.x86_64-Dell_Customized-A12.zip --profile=DEL-ESXi-703_21686933-A12

6. Once this finishes, the server will have been updated to the latest build from VMware including any Dell components that normally are part of the seperate addon ZIP file.

[pashnal]

I have updated my Post