Installing ESX Host Patches

[ehjoyner]

This is the first time since we installed and configured our environment that we have needed to update our ESX Hosts. I was able to download the patches and, using WinSCP, get the patches onto the ESX hosts... but from this point on, I don't know what to do. I am at a loss and what I'm reading in the user/admin guides just doesn't seem to want to work.

Any pointers on what to do from this point?

Thanks!

[RickPollock]

Installation Instructions

Note: All virtual machines on the host must be either shut down or migrated using VMotion before applying the patch. A reboot of the ESX Server host is required after applying the patch.

After you download and extract the archive, and if you are in the directory that you previously created, use the following command to install the update:

1. esxupdate update

To run esxupdate from a different directory, you must specify the bundle path in the command:

1. esxupdate -r file://<directory>/ESX-1002424 update

For example, if the host is called depot:

1. esxupdate -r file:///depot/var/updates/ESX-1002424 update

During the update process, logs appear on the terminal. You can specify the verbosity of esxupdate logs by using the -v option as shown below.

1. esxupdate -v 10 file://<directory>/ESX-1002424 update

[chandlm]

I would strongly recommend using an automated tool for it in order to make it easier/quicker. I use http://vmprofessional.com/material/esx-autopatch.html and it works great for me

[scerazy]

Or use VMTS Patch Manager from http://www.vmts.net/

Works great (I run it - obviously - from withing VM)

Seb

[IB_IT]

we use VMTS Patch Manager as well...a pretty good app. Can't wait for ESX 3.5, VC 2.5...there is supposedly a built in patch manager to use which should ease the pain a bit...

[thickclouds · Accepted solution]

This is a great doc that walked me right through it.