I am having trouble knowing where to begin updating my Dell server running ESXi 7.0.2:
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
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
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
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.
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
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.
You can prevent mismatches with the Image Profiles by using the depots correctly:
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.
I have updated my Post