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TonyJK
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Upgrade ESXi 5.1 to 5.5 - Should I use customized ISO ?

Hi,

We are using both DELL and HP servers running vSphere.

When we upgrade from ESXi 5.1 to ESXi 5.5, can we download the ISO image from VMware and use Update Manager to upgrade OR it is desirable to download customized ISO image from both DELL and HP for upgrade ?

If customized ISO is preferred, just wonder whether those Hardware vendors have different ISO for different model of servers ?  (Some of our servers have been 5 years old).

Thanks

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cykVM
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Hi,

well that depends on the hardware in use (server type/model). If the host has a customized version running I would use a customized ISO for upgrade. The customized versions usually include CIM providers for health data for example. Also if certain storage controllers are in use which are not officially supported by VMWare you have to use the customized ISO to have the driver for that included.

For the HP servers you may refer to HP's VMWare recipe for compatibility checks on server model.

DELL provides it's customized ISOs on their support pages and if you look at the download page and check "Compatible Systems" you get a list of server models compatible with that VMWare version, e.g. VMWare 5.5 Update 2 DELL: VMware ESXi 5.5 Update 2 Driver Details | Dell US

cykVM

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cykVM
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Hi,

well that depends on the hardware in use (server type/model). If the host has a customized version running I would use a customized ISO for upgrade. The customized versions usually include CIM providers for health data for example. Also if certain storage controllers are in use which are not officially supported by VMWare you have to use the customized ISO to have the driver for that included.

For the HP servers you may refer to HP's VMWare recipe for compatibility checks on server model.

DELL provides it's customized ISOs on their support pages and if you look at the download page and check "Compatible Systems" you get a list of server models compatible with that VMWare version, e.g. VMWare 5.5 Update 2 DELL: VMware ESXi 5.5 Update 2 Driver Details | Dell US

cykVM

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DanielOprea
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Hi,

Yes, you can download custom images of HP and DELL and you deploy with VUM.

Download for this link the ISOs Custom HP and the iso for DELL, to download you must use the link that has left you cykVM. or the version 6.0 for this link.

And set the repository for HP and DELL for download the drivers and agents updated.

VUM_Settings.JPG

Look at this article from my blog VUM(Vsphere Update Manager): PATCH Server and Blade IBM and as I do with the isos IBM should do with HP and DELL.

Regards

Daniel

PLEASE CONSIDER AWARDING any HELPFUL or CORRECT answer. Thanks!!
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Blogs: https://danieloprea.blogspot.com/
cykVM
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Additionally you should take care of firmware and BIOS updates prior to upgrading.

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TonyJK
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Thanks for your advice.

When we have upgraded the ESXi Host to 5.5 successfully, should we use Update Manager to update any patches released by VMware as usual ?

Cheers

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DanielOprea
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Yes

PLEASE CONSIDER AWARDING any HELPFUL or CORRECT answer. Thanks!!
Por favor CONSIDERA PREMIAR cualquier respuesta ÚTIL o CORRECTA. ¡¡Muchas gracias!!
Blogs: https://danieloprea.blogspot.com/