Knowledge Base

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.

• The system level
• The base build number
• The patches applied to the host
• The currently installed RPMs
• The host agent component
• RPMs and VIBs in patches before installation
• RPMs and VIBs in patches after installation
• RPM in a specific bulletin

To determine the system level of an ESX 4.0 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:
# vmware -l

Typical output resembles the following:
#ESX 4.0.0 GA

The system level base installation of the ESX host will be displayed in the query output. This is the system level with no patches or updates applied.

To determine the base build number of an ESX Server 4.0.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:
#vmware -v

To determine the patches or updates applied on the host

1. Log in to the ESX service console

2. At the command prompt, issue the following command:
#esxupdate query

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:

----Bulletin ID---- -----Installed----- -------------Summary-------------
ESX400-200906401-BG 2009-07-08T18:02:49 Updates VMX
ESX400-200906412-BG 2009-07-08T18:02:49 Updates esxupdate
ESX400-200906404-BG 2009-07-08T18:02:49 Updates CIM

To view the build numbers of all RPMs currently installed on the ESX Server host:

1. Log in to the ESX Server service console.

2. At the command prompt type:
rpm -qa | grep -i 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 host agent component:

1. Log in to the ESX Server host using the VI Client.

2. Choose Help > About Vmware vSphere

NOTE: In ESX 4.0, the packages are called VIBs (vSphere Installation Bundle). The VIB name contains details about the RPMs, including the versions.

To view the build numbers of RPMs and VIB details contained in a patch bundle before it is installed:

1. Download the patch bundle zip files as described in the patch bundle 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. At the command prompt, type:
#esxupdate --bundle <patchbundlename>.zip info
Where <patchbundlename> represents the name of patch bundle.

To view the build numbers of RPMs and VIB details 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 info

This command lists all the VIBs.

To view the build numbers of RPMs in a specific bulletin 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 info -b <bulletinname>
Where <bulletinname> represents the name of the bulletin you are reviewing, such as ESX400-200906413-BG.