How to update single ESX 4 host with virtual vCenter server?

[pshankland]

Hi all,

I have a remote ESX 4 server (4.1.0 433742) which I need to update. This ESX box has a virtual vCenter server running on it which is then linked back to the main vCenter server.

My question is; is it possible to use vCenter Update Manager to update this host? I would assume not because it would be the virtual vCenter server running the update which would need to put the host into maintenance mode to complete which doesn't seem possible. So, if I am correct in thinking I cannot update this host with UM, what is the best way?

Thanks.

Pete.

[VirtuallyMikeB]

Good day,

Yes, you're correct.  You cannot update the host with Update Manager because no VMs can be running while the host is in maintenance mode.  Simply upload the .zip update to a datastore to which the host has access.  Shutdown all VMs on the host or vMotion them to another host.  Put the host in maintenance mode either via the vSphere Client or with vCLI with the below command

# vim-cmd hostsvc/maintenance_mode_enter

Through an SSH session to the host, change directories to the datastore on which you uploaded the patch.  Run the following command to apply the patch.

# esxupdate --bundle <patch.zip> update

and replace <patch.zip> with the case-sensitive name of the patch.  Once the update process finishes, reboot the host.

# reboot

Once the host comes back up, you can take it out of maintenance mode

# vim-cmd hostsvc/maintenance_mode_exit

and restart your VMs.

Cheers!

Mike Brown

http://VirtuallyMikeBrown.com

https://twitter.com/#!/VirtuallyMikeB

http://LinkedIn.com/in/michaelbbrown

[firestartah]

Hi

Is the vCenter on the host you want to upgrade the vCenter that manages the host also? As you mentioned you had the vCenter servers in a linked-mode configuration so if the host is added to the other host then you can use VUM no problem as the host isn't managed by the vCenter located on it.

If it is managed by the one on it then you will need to follow the steps mentioned already.

Gregg