Updating from Esxi 6.0 to 6.5

[coolsam421424]

Hey Guys,

I have a question. My VMware ESXi host is on version 6.0 build 3825889 which is from 05/12/2016.

1) If I update to VMware ESXi 6.5 to latest build which is 7388607. Will I get all previous patches and updates on it and will it work without crashing the server?

2) If that’s not the case if I install each build one by one in a sequence without rebooting the server will it work or will I have to reboot each time when I install each build update?

Please suggest the correct way to update without corrupting my server or VM’s based on the build I have right now (6.0 build 3825889).

[a_p_]

Welcome to the Community,

Assuming that your server, and components (NICs, storage adapters, ...) are supported by ESXi 6.5 you can upgrade directly to the new version.

Please remember, that in case the host is managed by vCenter Server, then vCenter Server needs to be upgraded first.

André

[coolsam421424]

Thanks for replying. It's VMware ESXi free version, not vCenter the paid version. And I don't wanna update through ISO file I want to update via CLI(Online). By upgrading to the new version you mean upgrading to new build number which is 7388607? And will it have all the patches, updated, new features? Also how to know if my hardware is supported with 6.5? Following are my server details:

Manufacturer: Supermicro

Model: X8DTU-6+

CPU Cores: 8 CPUs x 2.133Ghz

Processor Type: Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5606

Can you tell me if its supported?

[admin]

you can find  latest build version in below KB. always latest build version has all updated patch bundle.

VMware Knowledge Base

You can find VMware's hardware compatibility list  in below KB

VMware Compatibility Guide - System Search

Regards,

Randhir

If you found my answers useful please consider marking them as Correct OR Helpful

[a_p_]

Both option - CLI as well as interactive ISO upgrade - are possible. Note however, that the interactive upgrade might be the better option as it performs some compatibility checks, which the CLI option doesn't do. Both option - the interactive upgrade as well asd the esxcli software profile ... command - contain everything that's needed, i.e. you can directly upgrade to the latest version.

To find out whether your host, and the components are supported, take a look at https://www.vmware.com/go/hcl

André

[coolsam421424]

I have confirmed from my datacenter that 6.5 works with my server. Since I didn't wanna do the ISO upgrade is it safe now to do the CLI way?

[coolsam421424]

The link you gave me has the latest Build number: 7526125 which doesn't exist at https://my.vmware.com/group/vmware/patch#search the last update that I see is the build number: 7388607 so should I upgrade to that?

[admin]

I didn't wanna do the ISO upgrade is it safe now to do the CLI way?

yes it is safe. Below article described how to Upgrade 6.5

you can upload offline bundle to a datastore and upgrade host via esxcli https://www.vladan.fr/how-to-upgrade-esxi-6-0-to-esxi-6-5-via-offline-bundle/

Regards,

Randhir

[coolsam421424]

That's the blog I was seeing. I am following this tutorial:

https://www.vladan.fr/how-to-upgrade-esxi-6-0-to-6-5-via-cli-on-line/

When I executed this command:

esxcli software sources profile list -d https://hostupdate.vmware.com/software/VUM/PRODUCTION/main/vmw-depot-index.xml | grep -i ESXi-6.5

I get this result:

ESXi-6.5.0-20170701001s-no-tools  VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported

ESXi-6.5.0-20170104001-no-tools   VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported

ESXi-6.5.0-20170304101-no-tools   VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported

ESXi-6.5.0-20171204001-no-tools   VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported

ESXi-6.5.0-20171204001-standard   VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported

ESXi-6.5.0-20170404001-standard   VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported

ESXi-6.5.0-20170304001-no-tools   VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported

ESXi-6.5.0-20171201001s-no-tools  VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported

ESXi-6.5.0-20171201001s-standard  VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported

ESXi-6.5.0-20170104001-standard   VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported

ESXi-6.5.0-20171004001-standard   VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported

ESXi-6.5.0-20170702001-no-tools   VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported

ESXi-6.5.0-20170702001-standard   VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported

ESXi-6.5.0-20170301001s-no-tools  VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported

ESXi-6.5.0-20171004001-no-tools   VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported

ESXi-6.5.0-4564106-standard       VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported

ESXi-6.5.0-20170304001-standard   VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported

ESXi-6.5.0-20170301001s-standard  VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported

ESXi-6.5.0-20170304101-standard   VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported

ESXi-6.5.0-4564106-no-tools       VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported

ESXi-6.5.0-20170701001s-standard  VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported

ESXi-6.5.0-20170404001-no-tools   VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported

Which update should I pick to have the latest update of all patches and bug fixes?

[admin]

Build number: 7526125 is latest build version and released on 2018-01-09. you can see more information about it in below KB.

VMware Knowledge Base

Regards,

Randhir

[a_p_]

ranchuab​

Current January patches for versions 5.5, 6.0, and 6.5 have been pulled by VMware due to possible CPU Microcode issues.

The latest available complete profile is ESXi-6.5.0-20171204001-standard  (Build 7388607).

André

[coolsam421424]

On patch download page I see this:

Gyazo - ca50a98f1ce455c396fc62134efab61b.png

[admin]

I see , Build  version 7526125 is not listed on above screen shot. Thank you for your update .

so latest build version we can take ESXi-6.5.0-20171204001-standard  (Build 7388607).

Regards,

Randhir

[coolsam421424]

So this command after entering into Maintenance mode and making sure all my VM's are shut down will do the trick:

esxcli software profile update -p ESXi-6.5.0-20171204001-standard -d https://hostupdate.vmware.com/software/VUM/PRODUCTION/main/vmw-depot-index.xml

right?

[a_p_]

If the hardware is fully supported, I'd consider "esxcli software profile install ..." rather than "update".

In case you want to see what's going to be done for the upgrade, you may run the command with the --dry-run option.

André

[coolsam421424]

esxcli software profile install -p ESXi-6.5.0-20171204001-standard -dhttps://hostupdate.vmware.com/software/VUM/PRODUCTION/main/vmw-depot-index.xml

So I should install rather update right?

[a_p_]

That's what I did in the past to ensure that no old vibs from previous versions remain on the host. Note that you may need to append --ok-to-remove to the command line in this case. As mentioned earlier, I'd recommend that you run the command with the --dry-run option first, to see what it's going to do, without actually doing anything.

André

[coolsam421424]

Thanks, mate. I have finally updated and all worked well without any issues though I miss the windows client for vpshere but html5 UI client is also awesome and faster than windows client.

[atifzaka]

Do you have the steps to upgrade Esxi 6.0 to 6.5. I want to attempt the upgrade.