Specifications

Procedure
1 Check to determine whether the host is in maintenance mode.
vicfg-hostops --server=server_name --operation info
2 Run one of the following commands for each virtual machine to power off all virtual machines running
on the ESXi host.
Option Command
To have the system try to shut
down the guest operating system
vmware-cmd --server=server_name path_to_vm stop soft
To force the power off operation
vmware-cmd --server=server_name path_to_vm stop hard
Alternatively, to avoid powering off virtual machines, you can migrate them to another host. See the
topic Migrating Virtual Machines in the vCenter Server and Host Management documentation.
3 Place the host in maintenance mode.
vicfg-hostops --server=server_name --operation enter
4 Verify that the host is in maintenance mode.
vicfg-hostops --server=server_name --operation info
Update a Host with Individual VIBs
You can update a host with VIBs stored in a software depot that is accessible through a URL or in an offline
ZIP depot.
IMPORTANT If you are updating ESXi from a zip bundle in a VMware-supplied depot, either online from the
VMware Web site or downloaded locally, VMware supports only the update method specified for VMware-
supplied depots in the topic “Upgrade or Update a Host with Image Profiles,” on page 206.
The esxcli software vib update and esxcli software vib install commands are not supported for
upgrade operations. See “Differences Between vSphere Upgrades and Updates,” on page 12 and “Upgrade
or Update a Host with Image Profiles,” on page 206.
When you specify a target server by using --server=server_name in the procedure, the specified server
prompts you for a user name and password. Other connection options, such as a configuration file or
session file, are supported. For a list of connection options, see Getting Started with vSphere Command-Line
Interfaces, or run esxcli --help at the vCLI command prompt.
Prerequisites
n
Install vCLI or deploy the vSphere Management Assistant (vMA) virtual machine. See Getting Started
with vSphere Command-Line Interfaces. For troubleshooting, run esxcli commands in the ESXi Shell.
n
Determine whether the update requires the host to be in maintenance mode or to be rebooted. If
necessary, place the host in maintenance mode.
See “Determine Whether an Update Requires the Host to Be in Maintenance Mode or to Be Rebooted,”
on page 203. See “Place a Host in Maintenance Mode,” on page 204.
n
If the update requires a reboot, and if the host belongs to a VMware HA cluster, remove the host from
the cluster or disable HA on the cluster.
Procedure
1 Determine which VIBs are installed on the host.
esxcli --server=server_name software vib list
Chapter 7 Upgrading and Migrating Your Hosts
VMware, Inc. 205