Upgrading ESXI 6.0 to latest release

[newpersn]

Trying to find out information about upgrading a single host to latest release.

 

VCenter is installed and running as a VM on the host.

 

How simple or easy is it to upgrade the host?

 

(can i just download the ISO from Dell's website for the server? (its a Dell R430 i think))

[kmount]

Update vcenter first to make sure you are compatible with the updated host (ie vcenter should be the same or higher than ethe esxi it is managing)

 

Then on a single host yeah boot the iso is simplest, or you can apply an offline bundle. Backups etc.

 

Check the server supports the version you plan to install on the VMware hcl.

 

Sorry for brevity, on a mobile device.

[Norphy]

Update vcenter first to make sure you are compatible with the updated host (ie vcenter should be the same or higher than ethe esxi it is managing)

.

 

A thousand times this.

 

You can also update ESX using VMware update manager if it’s installed. You can upload an ESXi ISO to VUM and let vCenter do the heavy lifting. No mounting of disks or usb sticks required.

[kmount]

I would not recommend using update manager if you have a single host with vCenter+UM on it - update manager will become angry and confused when the host doesn't "come back" quickly enough (because waiting for host+vc to boot etc)

[newpersn]

I have got VMware vSphere Client installed on my laptop. (If that helps....)

[newpersn]

I have got VMware vSphere Client installed on my laptop. (If that helps....)

 

Can i use that to monitor the host during the upgrade. (as in Enter maintenance mode, wait for host to shut down VM's, Turn host off, Install updates. Turn host back on and wait to get back in the Vsphere client and start turning hosts on....)

[kmount]

Hello,

 

With a single host you don't to use update manager as it will want to shut down the VM update manager is running on along with the vCenter.

 

It is simpler to leverage your single host system to a quick advantage:

 

- vSphere client to HOST not vCenter

- Snapshot vCenter

- Update vCenter - confirm it can still manage your host etc showing the new version (on vCenter)

- Shut down all VMs

- Boot from ISO on host and run upgrade through

- Connect directly to HOST again after upgrade complete

- Power up VMs + vCenter

- Connect to vSphere client

- Confirm all OK

- Remove snapshot on vCenter VM

 

Eat mince pies

[newpersn]

Well, i did it. Vcenter was up to date.

 

Shut virtual machines down. (Via vSphere client)

Host on to maintenance mode

Shut host down

Upgrade VMware

Go to host IP address (latest release no longer works with vSphere client)

Take host out of maintenance mode

Start VM and update VM tools.

[kmount]

Yay