I run ESXi at home for my VMs. Since I only need and have 1 ESXi host I had no need to install vCenter to manage my ESXi host, however I do want to keep it updated and current.
To follow all the updates for ESXi please view VMware KB 2143832
Below are the steps to take to keep your ESXi updated
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Turn off VMs and put ESXi into maintenance mode
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Reboot - OPTIONAL - this is an optional step but it never hurts to reboot before upgrading to clear things up.
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Enable ssh service - you will need to ssh into your ESXi host to perform the steps so please enable this.
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List all available ESXi profiles
[root@localhost:~] esxcli software sources profile list --depot=https://hostupdate.vmware.com/software/VUM/PRODUCTION/main/vmw-depot-index.xml ... ESXi-7.0U2c-18426014-standard VMware, Inc. PartnerSupported 2021-08-24T00:00:00 2021-08-24T00:00:00 ESXi-7.0U2c-18426014-no-tools VMware, Inc. PartnerSupported 2021-08-24T00:00:00 2021-08-04T11:40:25 ESXi-7.0U2d-18538813-standard VMware, Inc. PartnerSupported 2021-09-14T00:00:00 2021-09-14T00:00:00 ESXi-7.0U2d-18538813-no-tools VMware, Inc. PartnerSupported 2021-09-14T00:00:00 2021-08-27T10:33:50
I always select the latest
-standard
one so in the case today it will beESXi-7.0U2d-18538813-standard
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Firewall change to allow output http requests - optional
[root@localhost:~] esxcli network firewall ruleset set -e true -r httpClient
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Run a dry-run to ensure that all will be OK.
[root@localhost:~] esxcli software profile update -p ESXi-7.0U2d-18538813-standard -d https://hostupdate.vmware.com/software/VUM/PRODUCTION/main/vmw-depot-index.xml --dry-run Update Result Message: Dryrun only, host not changed. The following installers will be applied: [BootBankInstaller, LockerInstaller] Reboot Required: true VIBs Installed: VMW_bootbank_bnxtnet_216.0.50.0-34vmw.702.0.20.18426014, VMW_bootbank_bnxtroce_216.0.58.0-20vmw.702.0.20.18426014, VMW_bootbank_i40enu_1.8.1.137-1vmw.702.0.20.18426014, VMW_bootbank_lpfc_12.8.298.3-2vmw.702.0.20.18426014, VMW_bootbank_qedentv_3.40.5.53-20vmw.702.0.20.18426014, VMW_bootbank_qedrntv_3.40.5.53-17vmw.702.0.20.18426014, VMW_bootbank_vmkusb_0.1-4vmw.702.0.20.18426014, VMware_bootbank_clusterstore_7.0.2-0.25.18538813, VMware_bootbank_cpu-microcode_7.0.2-0.25.18538813, VMware_bootbank_crx_7.0.2-0.25.18538813, VMware_bootbank_esx-base_7.0.2-0.25.18538813, VMware_bootbank_esx-dvfilter-generic-fastpath_7.0.2-0.25.18538813, VMware_bootbank_esx-update_7.0.2-0.25.18538813, VMware_bootbank_esx-xserver_7.0.2-0.25.18538813, VMware_bootbank_gc_7.0.2-0.25.18538813, VMware_bootbank_loadesx_7.0.2-0.25.18538813, VMware_bootbank_native-misc-drivers_7.0.2-0.25.18538813, VMware_bootbank_vdfs_7.0.2-0.25.18538813, VMware_bootbank_vsan_7.0.2-0.25.18538813, VMware_bootbank_vsanhealth_7.0.2-0.25.18538813, VMware_locker_tools-light_11.2.6.17901274-18295176 VIBs Removed: VMW_bootbank_bnxtnet_216.0.50.0-34vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_bnxtroce_216.0.58.0-19vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_i40enu_1.8.1.136-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_lpfc_12.8.298.3-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_qedentv_3.40.5.53-20vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_qedrntv_3.40.5.53-16vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_vmkusb_0.1-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_clusterstore_7.0.2-0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_cpu-microcode_7.0.2-0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_crx_7.0.2-0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_esx-base_7.0.2-0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_esx-dvfilter-generic-fastpath_7.0.2-0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_esx-update_7.0.2-0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_esx-xserver_7.0.2-0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_gc_7.0.2-0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_loadesx_7.0.2-0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_native-misc-drivers_7.0.2-0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_vdfs_7.0.2-0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_vsan_7.0.2-0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_vsanhealth_7.0.2-0.0.17867351, VMware_locker_tools-light_11.2.5.17337674-17867351 VIBs Skipped: VMW_bootbank_atlantic_1.0.3.0-8vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_brcmfcoe_12.0.1500.1-2vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_brcmnvmefc_12.8.298.1-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_elxiscsi_12.0.1200.0-8vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_elxnet_12.0.1250.0-5vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_iavmd_2.0.0.1152-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_icen_1.0.0.10-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_igbn_1.4.11.2-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_irdman_1.3.1.19-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_iser_1.1.0.1-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_ixgben_1.7.1.35-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_lpnic_11.4.62.0-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_lsi-mr3_7.716.03.00-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_lsi-msgpt2_20.00.06.00-3vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_lsi-msgpt35_17.00.02.00-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_lsi-msgpt3_17.00.10.00-2vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_mtip32xx-native_3.9.8-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_ne1000_0.8.4-11vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_nenic_1.0.33.0-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_nfnic_4.0.0.63-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_nhpsa_70.0051.0.100-2vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_nmlx4-core_3.19.16.8-2vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_nmlx4-en_3.19.16.8-2vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_nmlx4-rdma_3.19.16.8-2vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_nmlx5-core_4.19.16.10-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_nmlx5-rdma_4.19.16.10-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_ntg3_4.1.5.0-0vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_nvme-pcie_1.2.3.11-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_nvmerdma_1.0.2.1-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_nvmxnet3-ens_2.0.0.22-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_nvmxnet3_2.0.0.30-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_pvscsi_0.1-2vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_qcnic_1.0.15.0-11vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_qfle3_1.0.67.0-14vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_qfle3f_1.0.51.0-19vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_qfle3i_1.0.15.0-12vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_qflge_1.1.0.11-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_rste_2.0.2.0088-7vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_sfvmk_2.4.0.2010-4vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_smartpqi_70.4000.0.100-6vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_vmkata_0.1-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_vmkfcoe_1.0.0.2-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_vmw-ahci_2.0.9-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_elx-esx-libelxima.so_12.0.1200.0-4vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_esx-ui_1.34.8-17417756, VMware_bootbank_lsuv2-hpv2-hpsa-plugin_1.0.0-3vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_lsuv2-intelv2-nvme-vmd-plugin_2.0.0-2vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_lsuv2-lsiv2-drivers-plugin_1.0.0-5vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_lsuv2-nvme-pcie-plugin_1.0.0-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_lsuv2-oem-dell-plugin_1.0.0-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_lsuv2-oem-hp-plugin_1.0.0-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_lsuv2-oem-lenovo-plugin_1.0.0-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_lsuv2-smartpqiv2-plugin_1.0.0-6vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_qlnativefc_4.1.14.0-5vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_vmware-esx-esxcli-nvme-plugin_1.2.0.42-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351
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Actual update - since my host CPU may not be supported in the future ESXi release I need to run the command with
--no-hardware-warning
for it to complete. If you have newer hardware you will not need to add this option.[root@localhost:~] esxcli software profile update -p ESXi-7.0U2d-18538813-standard -d https://hostupdate.vmware.com/software/VUM/PRODUCTION/main/vmw-depot-index.xml --no-hardware-warning ing Update Result Message: The update completed successfully, but the system needs to be rebooted for the changes to be effective. Reboot Required: true VIBs Installed: VMW_bootbank_bnxtnet_216.0.50.0-34vmw.702.0.20.18426014, VMW_bootbank_bnxtroce_216.0.58.0-20vmw.702.0.20.18426014, VMW_bootbank_i40enu_1.8.1.137-1vmw.702.0.20.18426014, VMW_bootbank_lpfc_12.8.298.3-2vmw.702.0.20.18426014, VMW_bootbank_qedentv_3.40.5.53-20vmw.702.0.20.18426014, VMW_bootbank_qedrntv_3.40.5.53-17vmw.702.0.20.18426014, VMW_bootbank_vmkusb_0.1-4vmw.702.0.20.18426014, VMware_bootbank_clusterstore_7.0.2-0.25.18538813, VMware_bootbank_cpu-microcode_7.0.2-0.25.18538813, VMware_bootbank_crx_7.0.2-0.25.18538813, VMware_bootbank_esx-base_7.0.2-0.25.18538813, VMware_bootbank_esx-dvfilter-generic-fastpath_7.0.2-0.25.18538813, VMware_bootbank_esx-update_7.0.2-0.25.18538813, VMware_bootbank_esx-xserver_7.0.2-0.25.18538813, VMware_bootbank_gc_7.0.2-0.25.18538813, VMware_bootbank_loadesx_7.0.2-0.25.18538813, VMware_bootbank_native-misc-drivers_7.0.2-0.25.18538813, VMware_bootbank_vdfs_7.0.2-0.25.18538813, VMware_bootbank_vsan_7.0.2-0.25.18538813, VMware_bootbank_vsanhealth_7.0.2-0.25.18538813, VMware_locker_tools-light_11.2.6.17901274-18295176 VIBs Removed: VMW_bootbank_bnxtnet_216.0.50.0-34vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_bnxtroce_216.0.58.0-19vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_i40enu_1.8.1.136-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_lpfc_12.8.298.3-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_qedentv_3.40.5.53-20vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_qedrntv_3.40.5.53-16vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_vmkusb_0.1-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_clusterstore_7.0.2-0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_cpu-microcode_7.0.2-0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_crx_7.0.2-0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_esx-base_7.0.2-0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_esx-dvfilter-generic-fastpath_7.0.2-0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_esx-update_7.0.2-0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_esx-xserver_7.0.2-0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_gc_7.0.2-0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_loadesx_7.0.2-0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_native-misc-drivers_7.0.2-0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_vdfs_7.0.2-0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_vsan_7.0.2-0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_vsanhealth_7.0.2-0.0.17867351, VMware_locker_tools-light_11.2.5.17337674-17867351 VIBs Skipped: VMW_bootbank_atlantic_1.0.3.0-8vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_brcmfcoe_12.0.1500.1-2vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_brcmnvmefc_12.8.298.1-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_elxiscsi_12.0.1200.0-8vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_elxnet_12.0.1250.0-5vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_iavmd_2.0.0.1152-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_icen_1.0.0.10-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_igbn_1.4.11.2-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_irdman_1.3.1.19-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_iser_1.1.0.1-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_ixgben_1.7.1.35-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_lpnic_11.4.62.0-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_lsi-mr3_7.716.03.00-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_lsi-msgpt2_20.00.06.00-3vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_lsi-msgpt35_17.00.02.00-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_lsi-msgpt3_17.00.10.00-2vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_mtip32xx-native_3.9.8-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_ne1000_0.8.4-11vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_nenic_1.0.33.0-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_nfnic_4.0.0.63-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_nhpsa_70.0051.0.100-2vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_nmlx4-core_3.19.16.8-2vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_nmlx4-en_3.19.16.8-2vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_nmlx4-rdma_3.19.16.8-2vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_nmlx5-core_4.19.16.10-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_nmlx5-rdma_4.19.16.10-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_ntg3_4.1.5.0-0vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_nvme-pcie_1.2.3.11-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_nvmerdma_1.0.2.1-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_nvmxnet3-ens_2.0.0.22-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_nvmxnet3_2.0.0.30-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_pvscsi_0.1-2vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_qcnic_1.0.15.0-11vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_qfle3_1.0.67.0-14vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_qfle3f_1.0.51.0-19vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_qfle3i_1.0.15.0-12vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_qflge_1.1.0.11-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_rste_2.0.2.0088-7vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_sfvmk_2.4.0.2010-4vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_smartpqi_70.4000.0.100-6vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_vmkata_0.1-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_vmkfcoe_1.0.0.2-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMW_bootbank_vmw-ahci_2.0.9-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_elx-esx-libelxima.so_12.0.1200.0-4vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_esx-ui_1.34.8-17417756, VMware_bootbank_lsuv2-hpv2-hpsa-plugin_1.0.0-3vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_lsuv2-intelv2-nvme-vmd-plugin_2.0.0-2vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_lsuv2-lsiv2-drivers-plugin_1.0.0-5vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_lsuv2-nvme-pcie-plugin_1.0.0-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_lsuv2-oem-dell-plugin_1.0.0-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_lsuv2-oem-hp-plugin_1.0.0-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_lsuv2-oem-lenovo-plugin_1.0.0-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_lsuv2-smartpqiv2-plugin_1.0.0-6vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_qlnativefc_4.1.14.0-5vmw.702.0.0.17867351, VMware_bootbank_vmware-esx-esxcli-nvme-plugin_1.2.0.42-1vmw.702.0.0.17867351
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Firewall disallow output http request - optional
esxcli network firewall ruleset set -e false -r httpClient
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reboot
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Turn off maintenance mode
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Turn on VMs and you are done - Enjoy!!
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