vSphere 6.5

Upgrade to VMware ESXi 6.5 Update 1 using VUM

In looking at vSphere 6.5 Update 1 it is a very worthy upgrade. Today we look at how to Upgrade to VMware ESXi 6.5 Update 1 using VUM

With the release of vSphere 6.5 Update 1, we now have for many what is the release of 6.5 they were looking for as a valid upgrade candidate to their ESXi environments. Previously, we looked at upgrading our VCSA 6.5 appliance to 6.5 Update 1 via the VAMI interface which is super easy. Let’s take a look at how to Upgrade to VMware ESXi 6.5 Update 1 using VUM with the vSphere 6.5 Update 1 VCSA appliance.

Upgrade to VMware ESXi 6.5 Update 1 using VUM

The process using VUM is the same as previous updates using VUM and requires us to attach the default baselines to a server, scan for updates, place in maintenance mode, and then remediate the ESXi host with the 6.5 Update 1 update and other patches.

The first thing we want to do to get ready for the Upgrade to VMware ESX 6.5 Update 1 using VUM is place our host in maintenance mode.

Enter-Maintenance-Mode-on-your-ESXi-host
Enter Maintenance Mode on your ESXi host

We will confirm moving powered-off and suspended virtual machines over to other hosts in the cluster.

Move-powered-off-VMs-to-another-host

Now, we see our host successfully placed in maintenance mode.

ESXi-host-is-now-in-maintenance-mode

While the host is highlighted in the VCSA web client, navigate to the Update Manager tab and click the Attach Baseline button.

Use-VMware-VCSA-VUM-to-attach-baseline-to-your-host
Use VMware VCSA VUM to attach baseline to your host

Here, we select the Default patch baselines which will see the available ESXi 6.5 Update 1 update available along with the latest drivers.

Attach-Baseline-or-Baseline-Group-VUM
Attach Baseline or Baseline Group VUM

Notice below we have the baselines applied now so we can Scan for Updates.

Scan-for-Updates-with-Baselines-applied-VUM
Scan for Updates with Baselines applied VUM

We will be prompted to choose which updates to scan for.  Both are selected by default.

Select-the-default-VUM-baselines
Select the default VUM baselines

As we can see below, the Scan for Updates yields the ESX 6.5 Update 1 update available.  We see it show up as Missing.

Scan-for-Updates-ESXi-6.5-Update-1-Missing
Scan for Updates ESXi 6.5 Update 1 Missing

Now, we can Remediate our host.  Click the Remediate button to start the Remediation wizard.

Notice-we-have-ESXi-6.5-host-driver-updates-Click-Remediate
Notice we have ESXi 6.5 host driver updates Click Remediate

The Remediate wizard begins.  First, we select our baselines.

Remediation-Wizard-Begins-Select-Baselines
Remediation Wizard Begins Select Baselines

We can select our host(s) on the target objects screen.

VUM-Remdiation-Wizard-Select-ESXi-host
VUM Remediation Wizard Select ESXi host

We can choose to exclude patches if we want on the Patches and extensions screen.

VUM-Remediation-wizard-apply-or-exclude-updates
VUM Remediation wizard apply or exclude updates

A cool feature with VUM as well is that we can also Schedule the update(s) to happen later, i.e. maintenance window, etc.

VUM-Remediation-Wizard-you-can-schedule-updates
VUM Remediation Wizard you can schedule updates

We have a number of Host remediation options we can configure.  Below, defaults were left selected.

VUM-Remediation-Wizard-Maintenance-Mode-options
VUM Remediation Wizard Maintenance Mode options

It is a good idea to Disable High Availability admission control if it is enabled for any of the selected clusters setting as it can cause issues in automated processes such as the VMware Update Manager.

VUM-Remediation-Wizard-Cluster-Remediation-options
VUM Remediation Wizard Cluster Remediation options

Finally, we can complete the Remediate wizard and begin the remediation/installation of ESXi 6.5 Update 1.

Finish-VUM-Remediation-Wizard
Finish VUM Remediation Wizard

We can monitor the process of the Upgrade to VMware ESXi 6.5 Update 1 using VUM in the vCenter VCSA recent tasks window.  We see the Remediate entity operation start.

VUM-update-to-ESXi-6.5-Update-1-begins-vCenter-task
VUM update to ESXi 6.5 Update 1 begins vCenter task

Eventually, we should see the Initiate host reboot operation initiated which signifies the updates have been installed and the host is being rebooted.

ESXi-6.5-Update-1-installed-host-rebooted
ESXi 6.5 Update 1 installed host rebooted

After the host finishes the reboot and comes back online from the Upgrade to VMware ESXi 6.5 Update 1 using VUM, we can scan the host again and we should see the Overall compliance status as Compiant.  Note also we see the ESXi 6.5 Update 1 patch has been Installed.

ESXi-6.5-Update-1-successfully-installed-check-compliance
ESXi 6.5 Update 1 successfully installed check compliance

Finally, we can Exit Maintenance Mode.

After-ESXi-6.5-Update-1-update-install-exit-maintenance-mode
After ESXi 6.5 Update 1 update install exit maintenance mode

Concluding Thoughts

As shown the process to Upgrade to VMware ESXi 6.5 Update 1 using VUM is easy and rock solid.  The update for me didn’t take long at all and the new features provided by vSphere 6.5 Update 1 are well worth the time it takes to get it applied to your vSphere environment.  Next, we will look at how to upgrade VMware ESXi 6.5 Update 1 using command line.

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Brandon Lee

Brandon Lee is the Senior Writer, Engineer and owner at Virtualizationhowto.com, and a 7-time VMware vExpert, with over two decades of experience in Information Technology. Having worked for numerous Fortune 500 companies as well as in various industries, He has extensive experience in various IT segments and is a strong advocate for open source technologies. Brandon holds many industry certifications, loves the outdoors and spending time with family. Also, he goes through the effort of testing and troubleshooting issues, so you don't have to.

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