ESXi 5.5 Updates vs Patches vs Express Patches

[staythirstymyfr]

I want to begin a regular quarterly check of ESX versions on our 2 ESXi 5.5 hosts, and update them if there have been any patches or updates that we should install. So let's say for sake of argument that our hosts are currently on 5.5 Patch 8, which was released 8-4-16.

If we want to get current from 5.5 Patch 8 to the most current 5.5 product, what do we need to install? Are any of the subsequent patches or express patches roll-ups, or do they have to be applied incrementally? We obviously are concerned about Updates and about security patches; but do we need to worry about express patches? What exactly are they?

Thx,

Mike

[SavkoorSuhas]

Express patch would be for a single bug critical bug fix or few critical bug fix depending on how much of code needs to be altered.

Updates would be cumulative of patches and EP released before it.

So, if you are on 5.5 and want to get to latest version, the suggestion would be to Go to the latest update release and if, there are any patches or EP released post the Update, then apply them post an ESXi U(x) update.

# Suhas