Update ESXi 7.x using esxcli

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

1. Turn off VMs and put ESXi into maintenance mode
   

2. Reboot – OPTIONAL – this is an optional step but it never hurts to reboot before upgrading to clear things up.

3. Enable ssh service – you will need to ssh into your ESXi host to perform the steps so please enable this.

4. 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 be ESXi-7.0U2d-18538813-standard

5. Firewall change to allow output http requests – optional

   [root@localhost:~] esxcli network firewall ruleset set -e true -r httpClient
   

6. 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
   

7. 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
   

8. Firewall disallow output http request – optional

   esxcli network firewall ruleset set -e false -r httpClient
   

9. reboot
   
   

10. Turn off maintenance mode

11. Turn on VMs and you are done – Enjoy!!