6.5.1

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.
When you specify a target server by using --server=server_name, the 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. See Place a Host in Maintenance Mode.
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
2 Find out which VIBs are available in the depot.
Option Description
from a depot accessible by URL
esxcli --server=server_name software sources vib list --
depot=http://web_server/depot_name
from a local depot ZIP file
esxcli --server=server_name software sources vib list --
depot=absolute_path_to_depot_zip_file
You can specify a proxy server by using the --proxy argument.
vSphere Upgrade
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