In this post I will run through the procedure I use to update hosts to the latest version of ESXi. I realise that this is not the only way of doing this but for critical production hosts I found this to be the most reliable/foolproof way of updating. I will be updating from ESXi 6.7 U1 to ESXi 6.7 U3 using the HPE customised iso downloaded from VMware.
A few points to note before updating ESXi:
-vCenter has to be at least the same version or higher than the ESXi hosts
-Hosts can be at mixed versions within a cluster
-Ensure that a recent backup of the host configuration exists
-This guide assumes that you are running your cluster in HA so that VMs will migrate across to another host when maintenance mode is activated
1. Login to vCenter and put the host to be updated in maintenance mode.
2. Do not move powered-off or suspended machines and then click OK
Accept the warning prompt about DRS
3. Allow all the machines to migrate and watch for the host maintenance mode notification
4. Login to the host’s iLO and load the HTML5 console session. Click the DVD icon and mount the .iso
It makes sense to mount the iso in the datacenter you are updating the host on for speed of access. Reboot the host.
5. When the host is booting you will see the prompt for F11 which is the boot menu.
Select this and you should see an option to boot the iLO virtual media DVD
This should then load the ESXi installer, press Enter to continue.
6. Press F11 to accept the licence agreement.
The installer will scan for the existing installation.
7. When the existing disk is found press enter.
There will then be a scan of the existing disk
8. Select Upgrade and then press Enter
Press F11 to proceed with the upgrade
9. The upgrade will proceed
10. Press Enter to reboot the host
11. Eject the iLO virtual media
12. The host will reboot
ESXi will load the new version
13. Exit maintenance mode in vCenter
Do the drivers/firmware need to upgraded or are they packaged within the custom HPE ESXi ISO?