Can not upgrade ESXI from 6.0 to 6.5

[insearchof]

vCenter 6.5

I have 9 ESXI hosts running 6.5

Today I upgraded the memory processor and added another network adapter to the host.

After restarting the host would not start failed at boot up from my USB.

replaced the USB and installed 6.5 ISO from my DVD to my surprise it installed 6.0

So I said no problem I will upgrade the host to 6.5  now for the problem.

On my VCenter I go to update manager select admin view the select ESXI images.

Clicked on images and search for the iso file find it and up load it.

It loads entire file then fails

So How to I upgrade to 6.5?

Also can you backup the ESXI host installation?

Thanks

Tom

[daphnissov]

You're trying to upload the vCSA ISO there, not ESXi. That clearly isn't going to work.

[insearchof]

Thanks I figured that out I uploaded the wrong ISO image.

I still can not upgrade event with correct iso.

I found no events

Any ideas?

Thank you

Tom

[daphnissov]

"an unknown error" doesn't give us any useful information to troubleshoot. Show complete screenshots of your upgrade baseline including the image you've selected.

[insearchof]

Thoughts?

[daphnissov]

Please show the version of the vCenter Server you're using. What type of hardware is running these ESXi hosts? Also, why are you using such an old build of 6.5 to remediate these hosts? Unless you have specific requirements, you should be using the latest version available and also the version from the vendor supplying these hosts (Dell, HPE, Cisco, etc).

[insearchof]

vCenter 6.5.0 7119157  is the version

My hardware is all Dell PowerEdge Servers

So I should get 6.5 U2 which I see is the latest on the VMWARE site now.

I know 6.7 is available but I m not upgrading to 6.7 at this time.

Remember this box was 6.5  I just had to do a reinstall

[daphnissov]

Your vCenter is 6.5 U1c, so you shouldn't go to U2 on your ESXi hosts. You do need to use the Dell customized ESXi image. I would grab U1, but make sure it's the Dell customized build and not the general one. Delete the existing upgrade profile (and image) and import the proper one and try again.

[insearchof]

Went to the Dell support site and found they do not event support ESXI 6.0 on my Boxes.

Funny how this was running 6.5 with no problem before.

The general iso worked fine and it is what I use on all my dell power edge servers all eight of them run ESXI 6.5

It is strange how my 6.5 IOS DVD which I booted from on this server installed 6.0

How is that possible?

[daphnissov]

What is this exact hardware you have here?

It is strange how my 6.5 IOS DVD which I booted from on this server installed 6.0

How is that possible?

It's not, unless it either wasn't installed or it's actually 6.0.

[insearchof]

I have this

Dell PowerEdge R310    x 3

Dell PowerEdge R610    x1

Dell PowerEdge R210    x2

Dell PowerEdge R300    X1

Dell PowerEdge 860 G2  x1

Dell PowerEdge T310      x1

All except for the Dell PowerEdge 860 G2 was running ESXI 6.5 no problem.

[daphnissov]

If these hosts service a business production environment, you should not upgrade them past their latest supported versions. For a couple of these models, they don't even officially support ESXi at all that I can find (R300, 860 G2).

[insearchof]

This is a Network I run in my home.

I host email using exchange servers and web sites.

the R300 is running 6.5 with no issues.

the 860 G2 is running 6.0 with no issues.

The one having the issue is my Dell PowerEdge T310 it was running 6.5 but the USB failed upon reinstalling it only has 6.0 now  again this was 6.5

Any other thoughts?

Thank you

Tom

[daphnissov · Accepted solution]

Regarding the installation issue, not sure what to suggest other than replace your USB media. ESXi installation is a very simple, very straightforward process. If it's not installing or somehow reverting to a previous installation, you may have bad media. Without more specific details I don't have much else to suggest.

[insearchof]

I may try that

Is there any way to backup the installed system?

[daphnissov]

The configuration, yes. The system as a whole, no.