VMware ESXi patch to hosts through VMware ESXCLI

Problem: Update VMware ESXi patch to hosts through VMware ESXCLI

Resolution:

Step 1. Download the latest patch bundle from the VMware Web site. VMware ESXi patches are cumulative!  Each patch bundle (.zip archive) includes all the updates from prior patches.

Step 2. Upload the patch bundle (zip) to a central datastore with the vSphere Client, vSphere Web Client,

Step 3. Enable SSH - In the vSphere Web client start the SSH service and make a SSH session to the ESXi host

Step 4. Put the host in maintenance mode

        vim-cmd hostsvc/maintenance_mode_enter or esxcli system maintenanceMode set –-enable yes

Step 5. Install the patch bundle.

Using esxcli with the install method has the possibility of overwriting existing drivers. If you are using third-party ESXi images, VMware recommends using the update method to prevent an unbootable state. The following command will install the patch bundle:

esxcli software vib update -d /vmfs/volumes/DatastoreName/ESXi550-201709001.zip

After the patch bundle is installed check the message. It must say “The update completed successfully, but the system needs to be rebooted for changes to be effective.”

Step 6. Reboot the host by entering the following command: reboot

Step 7. Make a SSH session to the ESXi host and exit maintenance mode:

           vim-cmd hostsvc/maintenance_mode_exit or esxcli system maintenanceMode set --enable no