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Updating an ESX host using vCenter Update Manager (1019545)

Purpose

This article provides a quick reference to the information needed for updating an ESX host using vCenter Update Manager.

Note: Because each environment is different, many configuration decisions require knowledge and understanding beyond the scope of this article, consult the VMware vCenter Update Manager Documentation set for more detailed information regarding configurations and usage at http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs/vum_pubs.html .

Resolution

 
Update Manager downloads the list of available patches from vmware.com. To set up frequency of the repository update:
Click Home > Update Manager icon > Configuration tab > select Patch Download Schedule
 
To view the Patch Download scheduled task, click Home > Scheduled Tasks > VMware vCenter Update Manager Update Download

Notes:
  • You can manually run this task by right-clicking on it and clicking Run.
  • When running, you see Download Patch Definitions task in the Recent Tasks
  • If the Download Patch Definitions task fails, ensure Update Manager can reach vmware.com. For more information, see VMware Update Manager network port requirements (1004543).
To attach the baselines to the ESX host:
  1. Click Home > Hosts and Clusters.
  2. Highlight the ESX host you want to update and click the Update Manager tab.
  3. Click Attach. Select Critical Host Patches and Non-Critical Host Patches baselines and click Attach.

    Note: To create custom baselines click Home > Update Manager > Baselines and Groups > Create.
To scan the ESX host for missing patches against the repository, right-click on the ESX host and click Scan for Updates > Patches and Extensions > Scan.

Notes:
  • Scan progress is shown by the Scan Entity task in the Recent Tasks.
  • The host scan does not affect running virtual machines.
  • If the scan fails, ensure the ports between Update Manager and the ESX host are open. For more information, see VMware Update Manager network port requirements (1004543).
  • When the scan is complete you see the number of patches missing on the ESX host. If no patches are missing, you see Compliant.
To remediate the missing patches to the ESX host:
  1. Power off all virtual machines or vMotion them to a different ESX host.
  2. Place the ESX host into maintenance mode. Right-click on the ESX host, choose Enter Maintenance Mode, and click Yes.
  3. Right-click on the ESX host and choose Remediate > Critical Host Patches and Non-Critical Host Patches baselines > Next.
  4. Choose which updates or patches to install, click Next > Next >  Finish.
Notes:
  • Remediate progress is shown by the Remediate Entity task in the Recent Tasks.
  • This task might take some time as Update Manager starts downloading patches from vmware.com.
  • If the remediation fails, ensure the ports between Update Manager, the ESX host, and vmware.com are open. For more information, see VMware Update Manager network port requirements (1004543).
  • The ESX host might reboot after remediation completes.

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