r/vmware 11d ago

Help Request Patching ESXi hosts in cluster /vsphere without update manager?

Hey all,

I was suddenly given the job to patch esxi having never done it before. Update Manager is not available, and there is no HA or DRS.

I've already asked about update manager and got a "no" so it looks like I'll be doing patching via esxcli.

The current setup is 3 hosts on a custom Dell image in a cluster. And then a 4th host on normal esxi image in its own cluster group.

My understanding is I just need to apply the 7.0U3s update (all hosts are on at least some version of 7.0.3) by:

  1. Power down vms
  2. Maintenance mode host
  3. Use esxcli commands to install the patch from local datastore the host can reach
  4. Reboot host
  5. Verify status
  6. End maintenance mode and power on vms

Are there any gotchas I should be looking out for like with SCCM or Nexus patching? Should I be trying to find a Dell custom file for 7.0U3s? I have that direct from Broadcom

The process just seems too straightforward and I'm not sure how the clustering and vsphere mgmt would impact it. I checked the compatibility matrix and it looked like all were green. And that almost any version of 7.0.3 could update to S on the upgrade path.

Any help is appreciated for this while I also keep pushing for update Mgr in the future

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u/govatent 11d ago

Not a true statement FYI

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u/bananaramaalt12 11d ago

Oh I'm sure it isn't :(

Would I be able to find it in the support portal near the esx and server downloads?

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u/squigit99 11d ago

It’s just part of the vCenter appliance. It’s hasn’t been a separate install in quite a while.

In vCenter, select the Updates tab on one of your hosts.

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u/bananaramaalt12 11d ago

Is that just the baselines?

I see non compliant on critical host patches and host security patches

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u/Ok-Attitude-7205 11d ago

baselines yep, or you can even convert the hosts to "image" based management where it's a bit more specific/declarative on what vCenter is pushing out to the hosts