IBM server, ESXi 5.5 update 1

[HendersonD]

IBM has released their customized version of ESXi 5.5, it can be found here

http://www-03.ibm.com/systems/x/os/vmware/

What they have not released is a customized version of ESXi 5.5 Update 1. In a few weeks we are upgrading our IBM servers from ESXi 5.1 U2 to ESXi 5.5, this gives me two choices

• Install the IBM customized version of ESXi 5.5 and then use Update Manager to bring us up to ESXi 5.5 U1
• Install the IBM customized version of ESXi 5.5 and run it until IBM releases their customized version of ESXi 5.5 U1 and do the upgrade to U1 at that point

Any thoughts?

[mdangel1]

I am on the same boat   I am going to upgrade my test environment with the IBM 5.5 image then update with update manager. I am going to let it burn in for a few weeks until I upgrade production.

[MKguy]

You actually have two more options to achieve what you want:

1. Install ESXi 5.5 U1 vanilla and then deploy the IBM bundles afterwards (for example, with VUM).

2. Build your own ISO based on 5.5 U1 and add the IBM bundles to it. You can use the VMware Imagebuilder PowerCLI cmdlets or use this fine tool with a GUI:

http://www.v-front.de/p/esxi-customizer.html

I'm not very familiar with IBM hardware, but you should be able to download the bundles from IBM or extract them from a previous ISO.

The customized ISOs aren't magic. Hardware vendors like HP or IBM just pre-package the vanilla ESXi release with a few updated drivers packages and their own hardware management bundles. They don't touch any of the VMware components.

Otherwise I would stick with the first option you mentioned, install customized 5.5 GA and then update to U1.

[HendersonD]

We installed ESXi 5.1 from the IBM customized version and then used Update Manager to go to U1 and then U2 and have had no problems. IBM eventually released a customized version of ESXi 5.1 U1 and U2 but we did not use them

HP already has their customized version of ESXi 5.5 U1 out, it seems like it takes IBM forever to release theirs

[mdangel1]

With 5.1 I used the IBM image and then used VUM to upgrade and we have had no issues thank god. Again, I plan to do the same with 5.5.

[HendersonD]

I am thinking that this is the route to go, IBM customized version first to get all the specialized drivers and then Update Manager to get us to U1

[mdangel1]

I am with you

[HendersonD]

I thought I read recently that IBM sold their entire server business to Lenovo. Perhaps Lenovo will eventually be on a quicker release cycle for these types of customized images

[mdangel1]

They did!!!!

[HendersonD]

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-57617651-92/ibm-sells-its-x86-server-business-to-lenovo-for-$2.3-bi...