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Determining detailed build number information for VMware ESX 3.0.x and 3.5.x hosts

Details

In some cases, after patches have been installed on a ESX host, different build numbers are reported for different components of ESX Server. This article provides details of the build information for ESX 3.0.x and 3.5.x. For information on ESX 4.0 and later, see KB 1012514.

Solution

VMware ESX Server hosts are patched according to a model where each patch bundle only updates a few components of the ESX Server installation at a time. Not all components of the installation are upgraded during each patch installation. When a patch is applied, the build number of the updated components will change. As a result, the ESX Server installation can have different components at different build numbers, depending upon which patch bundles have been applied.
 
You can view the build number for different components of upgraded versions of ESX Server 3.0.x. and 3.5.x. This article provides instructions on how to determine the build number of the following:
 
For more information on how to determine the build number of other VMware products, please refer to http://kb.vmware.com/kb/392
 
 
To determine the base build number of an ESX Server 3.5.x or 3.0.x host (the build number of the original installation):

1. Log in to the ESX Server Service Console.

2. At the command prompt issue the following command:

#esxupdate query

The base build number and version of the base installation on the ESX Server host will be displayed on the first line of the query output. Lines of the format x.y.z-<number> provide the VMware ESX Server software version number and build number. Additional lines in the output indicate the names and of patches that might have been applied after the original installation. Typical output will resemble the following:
  
 ------ Name ------ --- Install Date --- --- Summary --- 3.0.2-52542 16:35:05 11/29/07 Full 3.0.2 release of VMware ESX Server ESX-1001725 12:28:31 11/30/07 Security update for the bind package.
 
In this example, 52542 is the base build number of the original installation of ESX Server 3.0.2 and ESX-1001725 is the name of a patch that was subsequently applied to the host. In some cases, running the command esxupdate query will result in multiple lines of output. When contacting VMware technical support, supply both build numbers when asked for a base build number. In the following output, both 52542 and 61618 should be reported:
 ------ Name ------ --- Install Date --- --- Summary --- 3.0.2-52542 13:43:10 11/29/07 Full 3.0.2 release of VMware ESX Server 3.0.2-61618 14:27:16 11/29/07 3.0.2 Update 1 of VMware ESX Server
To view the build number of all components as they were originally installed with ESX Server 3.0.1 or ESX Server 3.0.0:
 

1. Log in to the ESX Server Service Console .

2. At the command prompt use one of the following:

    • For ESX Server 3.0.0, type esxupdate -l info 3.0.0-27701 and press Enter.
    • For ESX Server 3.0.1, type esxupdate -l info 3.0.1-32039 and press Enter.
    • For ESX Server 3.0.2, type esxupdate -l info 3.0.1-52542 and press Enter.
    • For ESX Server 3.5, type esxupdate -l info 3.5.0-64607 and press Enter.
The utililty will list all rpms that were installed with the release and provide version information.

To view the build numbers of all rpms currently installed on the ESX Server 3.5.x or 3.0.x host :

1. Log in to the ESX Server Service Console .
2. At the command prompt type:
rpm -qa VMware-\*

This method reports build numbers for all ESX Server components (rpms) including VMX, host agent, VMkernel, drivers, and so on.

To view the current build number of the VMX component of the ESX 3.5 or 3.0.x Server installation:

1. Log in to the ESX Server Service Console .
2. At the command prompt type vmware –v and press Enter.

To view the current build number of the 3.5 or 3.0.x host agent component:

1. Log into the ESX Server host through the VI Client.
2. Choose Help > About.

To view the build numbers of rpms contained in a patch bundle before it is installed:

1. Download and untar a patch bundle as described in the patch's installation instructions.
2. Before installing the patch, change to the directory that you use as your esxupdate repository. For example, if your repository is located at /var/updates, type:
cd /var/updates
3. Change to the directory of the patch you would like to examine. For example:
cd ESX-<xxx>
Where <xxx> is the patch number.
 
4. In the patch directory, type:
esxupdate -l info
To view the build numbers of rpms contained in a patch bundle after it is installed:
1. Log in to the ESX Server Service Console .
2. At the command prompt type:
esxupdate -l info ESX-<xxx>

Where <xxx> is the patch number you would like to examine.

Keywords

esxupdate, patch, esx30x, esx35x

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Actions
  • KB Article: 1001179
  • Updated: Aug 14, 2009
  • Products:
    VMware ESX
  • Product Versions:
    VMware ESX 3.0.x
    VMware ESX 3.5.x