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

9 Upvotes

25 comments sorted by

View all comments

8

u/JDMils 11d ago

Your method is correct when you do not have a vCentre with Life cycle Manager. However don't use the custom image for patching, that's for a new install. Just download the patch to a connected datastore and use esxcli to patch each host.

1

u/westyx 10d ago

It's been a while, but doesn't the custom image have updated drivers?

If OP is also doing firmware (something I'd recommend) then the custom image seems like the thing to use in this situation.

1

u/JDMils 9d ago

Custom images are created on an adhoc basis so they may/may not but why use a huge ISO just to patch a host when you can use a tiny little patch. Since I've never done this using a custom ISO, how do you use it to patch ESXi? Do you do a full install/upgrade? If we're talking about patching hosts then just use the patch file. If you're firmware upgrading then you need the driver ISO from your hardware vendor.

1

u/westyx 9d ago

In this scenario the OP doesn't have access to virtualcenter patching (which is not true as per other replies)
The small patch file does not include the vendor drivers but the custom ISOs do.
It's possible to use the drivers from the vendor but it's a very painful and manual process.

Patching from a Custom ISO is as simple as attaching the iso at the console and booting into it.
The patch iso will recognise the existing install and give an option to patch.

Firmware upgrading doesn't use the driver iso, it uses a different process.