Automate VM Tools Upgrade

[Dandan712]

Hello,

I've just upgraded 5 ESX servers, from 3.02 to 3.5 update 1.

As you all know , the next step is to have all VMs upgraded with the newer version of VM TOOLS.

I have dozens of vm machine ( test, demos , dev virtual machine ) . I don't want to do it manually.

So my questions are the following:

1 - is there any way or process to get VMTOOLS automatically updated ( for example when the vm restarts ) ?

2 - Also is it possible to update the Vm Tools for a VM when this VM is powered off ?

Thanks.

Dan

Thanks

[clkmgt · Accepted solution]

ooh, finally one I can answer!

See attached screenshot - unfortunately this option can only be selected when the VM is off. We have this option selected for our templates so as we push out new machines the tools are automatically kept up to date for the most part.

[LarsLiljeroth]

Hi

1. Yes, you can set that option on etch VM . Settings - Options - Vmware Tools - advanced - Check and upgrade Tools before start up.

2. No not at the moment. But i think they are working on that part.

Br

Lars

[Dandan712]

Thanks !! That's enough for what I need to do !

I granted you with "Correct answer ". Congratulation !!!

[Dandan712]

Yes indeed, that would be so useful to handle ( vm tools update, etc ) VMs even when powered off.

I've been told, from the vmworld event, that a Security Software company ( I don't remember if this is Symantec or another one !! ) has just released a new Antivirus version to protect Vm machines .... The new thing is that the Antivirus server is able to upadate VM machines with new antivirius updates, version, etc even when they are powered off ... so good when you manage tens of VMs.

Dan

[gary1012]

I've never tried it, but the upgrade guide, pg 85 () has syntax that allows for powered off upgrades.

"To upgrade all (powered-off) virtual machines on host myhost.vmware.com in the

root host folder of datacenter DC, while powering on at most two virtual machines

at a time on the host:

vmware-vmupgrade -u user -h /DC/myhost.vmware.com -m 2

To upgrade powered-off virtual machines on host host1.vmware.com in cluster

myCluster in the datacenter folder /DC/folder1:

vmware-vmupgrade -u user -h /DC/folder1/myCluster/host1.vmware.com"

[Dandan712]

Many thanks for this very valuable information.

I've just tried and succesffully updated the vmtools for all VMs located on a ESX test server : all the vms ware powered off. I then run the command( from the virtual center serverdos command prompt 😞

vmware-vmupgrade -u vcadmin -h /MYDATACENTER/myhost.vmware.com -m 2

• vcadmin is the windows user I use to login into my Virtual Center interface

• -m 2: will not power on more than 2 vms at a time ( good in order not to overload your esx server )

• be careful : all the datecenter and folder names etc that you enter in that commande are case sensitive

[Dandan712]

unfortunately, I was a little too optimistics...

Even if a number of vms were succesffully updated, a number of other VMs were not updated ( regarding vm tools 😞 the vmupgrade utility told me that these vms were already up to date ( regarding vmtools ) and do not need upgrade... The problem is that it"s not true: they really need upgrade...

So I 'll need to do it manually.

In conclusion, I thinks the best way is still to check the box ' check vmtools update ' in the vm Settings

Dan

[joboo12]

Yea. I think the best way would be to have Update Manager perform the upgrade. However, this feature is not available yet. Does any know if VMWare is working on this enhancement?

[gdesmo]

Do not use!

http://communities.vmware.com/message/1062122#1062122

[Dandan712]

indeed very touchy when in production environnement, for example DB server or mail server !!!