Patching ESXi hosts using Update Manager
Overview
This procedure describes the process for patching ESXi5.0 and 5.1 hosts in a cluster environment using Vcenter and Update Manager. Note that this procedure is not intended to be used as reference for upgrading ESXi versions using Update Manager
Prerequisites
-Vcenter must be installed and properly configured
-Update Manager must be installed and properly configured including host and VM behavior during patching activity, as well as configured patch baselines.
Procedure
- Make sure that host patch baselines have been configured
- Browse to Hosts and Clusters and select the target host to patch
- Then select the Update Manager tab and right-click on Attached Baselines window pane
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- Select Attach and select the Critical Host Patches baseline first. Non-Critical patches will be applied second.
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- While the ESXi host is still selected click on Scan in the Update Manager tab.
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- Confirm your selection in the dialogue box then select Scan.
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- Once the Scan is completed it will display the number of patches to apply.
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- Next, click on stage in the bottom right corner of the update manager window to download the required patches to the selected host.
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- Follow the prompts on the Storage Wizard dialogue box.
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- Select Next.
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- Click on Finish.
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- When the task completes then select Remediate to apply patches to the host.
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- Click Next
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- Click Next
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15. Select Next and enter the patching date in the Task Description field.
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- Confirm settings and select Next
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- Select Disable High Availability admission control and select Next.
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- Select Finish to start the process. The host will start vmotion any VMs in the host, then will start applying patches, and reboot the host if necessary. Monitor the host activities during this process.
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- Once patching is completed repeat process starting from step 4 for Non-Critical patches baseline for the same host.
20. Repeat the all steps for any remaining hosts in the cluster. - Once both Critical and Non-Critical patches have been applied to all hosts in the cluster confirm cluster is properly balanced and VM status.