I hope you are already aware that we use VMware Update Manager to update and patch the ESXi hosts, let’s see how to update ESXi without Update Manager. I have published a post previously about performing a patch or upgrade to obtain a specific build number, it might be really useful for this post and I’d encourage you to read my previous post.
First of all, we need to decide the build version or the patch version to be installed and download the offline bundles from the patch repository.
Create a directory in a datastore and upload the downloaded file
Let’s see what are the installed software vib lists with below command, I had most of the later releases of vSphere 6.5 versions. This is just for the verification prior to the upgrade
esxcli software vib list
Install the software vib using below command
esxcli software vib install -d [PATH_TO_THE_VIB_ZIP]
Reboot the ESXi host with “reboot” command
Once it rebooted just check the build version of the host
You can also verify the installed vibs with the same list command latest installation files have been installed
Note: You can also use the below update command to update the same files but complete previous chain of patches and versions should be installed other wise update command will fail. But we used “install” command in the above step will over ride the base files and will complete the installation.
esxcli software vib update -d [PATH_TO_THE_VIB_ZIP]Here is the sample error for the update command
shanlon
November 15, 2019fyi, the commands should be “vib” instead of “via” mentioned a couple times in your guide.
Aruna Lakmal
November 20, 2019Hi Shanloon
Thank you very much bringing this to my attention. Auto correct in my Mac made these changes!
David M.
January 17, 2020Very useful post, thank you. I needed to get a new host to a consistent build level before adding to an existing production cluster, and this was the best way to do it.
Aruna Lakmal
January 18, 2020Hi David
I’m pretty much impressed that, this was useful for you to find what you were looking for. Thank you very much for your comment!
Marc Scammell
February 15, 2023For anyone finding this now, there command failed for me. I found the correct command to be:
esxcli software vib update –depot=/vmfs/volumes/datastore1/*.zip
As per vmware forum here: https://communities.vmware.com/t5/vSphere-Upgrade-Install/Error-when-applying-an-update-patch-Standalone-ESXi/td-p/1688236
Aruna Lakmal
June 17, 2023Thanks for posting this.