This is a step by step procedure to update offline bundle zip on standalone ESXi host using command line without vCenter. I was updating few of my VMware ESXi servers in my home Lab environment. There were few ESXi hosts in the lab were standalone and not connected to any vCenter server. On the standalone server I was running Virtual Machines (It was not possible to move them), which I shutdown or suspended as per the maintenance window (Best way take backup of VMs). All my VMs are either suspended or Shut Down.
Download ESXi server latest depot zip patch bundle file from VMware website.
Upload this Zip file on the Esxi Datastore using ESXi Host Client, Expand Storage go to Datastore and click Datastore Browser, Select the folder and Click Upload button to upload zip file as shown in the below screenshot. You can monitor the status of upload, click refresh once the process is completed to see the file details.
Next Enable secure shell (SSH) on Host by right click or click Actions then Services.
You can check whether SSH is enabled by clicking Manage >> Services >> TSM-SSH. Here you can start and stop services.
Login to ESXi server using ssh tool. Use below command as highlighted in the Red. Change the directory to ISOs folder on datastore (Where I uploaded zip file). Verify zip bundle file exists with ls command.
PS C:\Users\demir> ssh root@thor.vcloud-lab.com Password: The time and date of this login have been sent to the system logs. WARNING: All commands run on the ESXi shell are logged and may be included in support bundles. Do not provide passwords directly on the command line. Most tools can prompt for secrets or accept them from standard input. VMware offers powerful and supported automation tools. Please see https://developer.vmware.com for details. The ESXi Shell can be disabled by an administrative user. See the vSphere Security documentation for more information. [root@thor:~] [root@thor:~] cd /vmfs/volumes/StarLord_Datastore01/ISOs/ [root@thor:/vmfs/volumes/6157d890-878ae980-677d-c81f66ea874d/ISOs] [root@thor:/vmfs/volumes/6157d890-878ae980-677d-c81f66ea874d/ISOs] ls VMware-ESXi-8.0U1a-21813344-depot.zip VMware-ESXi-8.0U1a-21813344-depot.zip [root@thor:/vmfs/volumes/6157d890-878ae980-677d-c81f66ea874d/ISOs]
Next I am going to use localcli command (You can also use esxcli). Using localcli list all the profiles in depot esxi zip bundle. I will use no-tools profile to update ESXi. Using localcli software profile update command and providing depot and profile parameters. you can see it starts updating ESXi process from zip depot profile, it takes some time for update. After successful update installation, reboot is required to take change to be effective.
[root@thor:/vmfs/volumes/6157d890-878ae980-677d-c81f66ea874d/ISOs] [root@thor:/vmfs/volumes/6157d890-878ae980-677d-c81f66ea874d/ISOs] localcli software sources profile list --depot VMware-ESXi-8.0U1a-21813344-depot.zip Name Vendor Acceptance Level Creation Time Modification Time ----------------------------- ------------ ---------------- ------------------- ----------------- ESXi-8.0U1a-21813344-standard VMware, Inc. PartnerSupported 2023-06-01T00:00:00 2023-06-01T00:00:00 ESXi-8.0U1a-21813344-no-tools VMware, Inc. PartnerSupported 2023-06-01T00:00:00 2023-05-24T06:02:20 [root@thor:/vmfs/volumes/6157d890-878ae980-677d-c81f66ea874d/ISOs] [root@thor:/vmfs/volumes/6157d890-878ae980-677d-c81f66ea874d/ISOs] localcli software profile update --depot VMware-ESXi-8.0U1a-21813344-depot.zip --profile ESXi-8.0U1a-21813344-no-tools Errors: [HardwareError] Hardware precheck of profile ESXi-8.0U1a-21813344-no-tools failed with warnings: CPU_SUPPORT OVERRIDEWARNING: The CPUs in this host are not supported by ESXi 8.0.1. You can override and force install, but it is not officially supported nor recommended. Apply --no-hardware-warning option to ignore the warnings and proceed with the transaction. Please refer to the log file for more details. [root@thor:/vmfs/volumes/6157d890-878ae980-677d-c81f66ea874d/ISOs] [root@thor:/vmfs/volumes/6157d890-878ae980-677d-c81f66ea874d/ISOs] localcli software profile update --depot VMware-ESXi-8.0U1a-21813344-depot.zip --profile ESXi-8.0U1a-21813344-no-tools --no-hardware-warning Update Result: Message: The update completed successfully, but the system needs to be rebooted for the changes to be effective. VIBs Installed: VMware_bootbank_bmcal-esxio_8.0.1-0.10.21813344, VMware_bootbank_bmcal_8.0.1-0.10.21813344, VMware_bootbank_clusterstore_8.0.1-0.10.21813344, VMware_bootbank_cpu-microcode_8.0.1-0.10.21813344, VMware_bootbank_crx_8.0.1-0.10.21813344, VMware_bootbank_esx-base_8.0.1-0.10.21813344, VMware_bootbank_esx-dvfilter-generic-fastpath_8.0.1-0.10.21813344, VMware_bootbank_esx-update_8.0.1-0.10.21813344, VMware_bootbank_esx-xserver_8.0.1-0.10.21813344, VMware_bootbank_esxio-base_8.0.1-0.10.21813344, VMware_bootbank_esxio-combiner-esxio_8.0.1-0.10.21813344, VMware_bootbank_esxio-combiner_8.0.1-0.10.21813344, VMware_bootbank_esxio-dvfilter-generic-fastpath_8.0.1-0.10.21813344, VMware_bootbank_esxio-update_8.0.1-0.10.21813344, VMware_bootbank_esxio_8.0.1-0.10.21813344, VMware_bootbank_gc-esxio_8.0.1-0.10.21813344, VMware_bootbank_gc_8.0.1-0.10.21813344, VMware_bootbank_loadesx_8.0.1-0.10.21813344, VMware_bootbank_loadesxio_8.0.1-0.10.21813344, VMware_bootbank_native-misc-drivers-esxio_8.0.1-0.10.21813344, VMware_bootbank_native-misc-drivers_8.0.1-0.10.21813344, VMware_bootbank_trx_8.0.1-0.10.21813344, VMware_bootbank_vdfs_8.0.1-0.10.21813344, VMware_bootbank_vds-vsip_8.0.1-0.10.21813344, VMware_bootbank_vsan_8.0.1-0.10.21813344, VMware_bootbank_vsanhealth_8.0.1-0.10.21813344 VIBs Removed: VMware_bootbank_bmcal-esxio_8.0.1-0.0.21495797, VMware_bootbank_bmcal_8.0.1-0.0.21495797, VMware_bootbank_clusterstore_8.0.1-0.0.21495797, VMware_bootbank_cpu-microcode_8.0.1-0.0.21495797, VMware_bootbank_crx_8.0.1-0.0.21495797, VMware_bootbank_esx-base_8.0.1-0.0.21495797, VMware_bootbank_esx-dvfilter-generic-fastpath_8.0.1-0.0.21495797, VMware_bootbank_esx-update_8.0.1-0.0.21495797, VMware_bootbank_esx-xserver_8.0.1-0.0.21495797, VMware_bootbank_esxio-base_8.0.1-0.0.21495797, VMware_bootbank_esxio-combiner-esxio_8.0.1-0.0.21495797, VMware_bootbank_esxio-combiner_8.0.1-0.0.21495797, VMware_bootbank_esxio-dvfilter-generic-fastpath_8.0.1-0.0.21495797, VMware_bootbank_esxio-update_8.0.1-0.0.21495797, VMware_bootbank_esxio_8.0.1-0.0.21495797, VMware_bootbank_gc-esxio_8.0.1-0.0.21495797, VMware_bootbank_gc_8.0.1-0.0.21495797, VMware_bootbank_loadesx_8.0.1-0.0.21495797, VMware_bootbank_loadesxio_8.0.1-0.0.21495797, VMware_bootbank_native-misc-drivers-esxio_8.0.1-0.0.21495797, VMware_bootbank_native-misc-drivers_8.0.1-0.0.21495797, VMware_bootbank_trx_8.0.1-0.0.21495797, VMware_bootbank_vdfs_8.0.1-0.0.21495797, VMware_bootbank_vds-vsip_8.0.1-0.0.21495797, VMware_bootbank_vsan_8.0.1-0.0.21495797, VMware_bootbank_vsanhealth_8.0.1-0.0.21495797 VIBs Skipped: VMW_bootbank_atlantic_1.0.3.0-11vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_bcm-mpi3_8.4.2.0.0.0-1vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_bfedac-esxio_0.1-1vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_bnxtnet_223.0.0.0-1vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_bnxtroce_223.0.0.0-1vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_brcmfcoe_12.0.1500.3-4vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_cndi-igc_1.2.10.0-1vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_dwi2c-esxio_0.1-7vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_dwi2c_0.1-7vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_elxiscsi_12.0.1200.0-11vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_elxnet_12.0.1250.0-8vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_i40en_1.11.3.5-1vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_iavmd_3.0.0.1010-8vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_icen_1.5.1.21-1vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_igbn_1.4.11.7-1vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_intelgpio_0.1-1vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_ionic-en-esxio_20.0.0-40vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_ionic-en_20.0.0-40vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_irdman_1.3.1.25-1vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_iser_1.1.0.2-1vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_ixgben_1.7.1.40-1vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_lpfc_14.2.560.8-23vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_lpnic_11.4.62.0-1vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_lsi-mr3_7.724.03.00-1vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_lsi-msgpt2_20.00.06.00-4vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_lsi-msgpt35_26.00.00.00-3vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_lsi-msgpt3_17.00.13.00-2vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_mlnx-bfbootctl-esxio_0.1-1vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_mnet-esxio_0.1-1vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_mtip32xx-native_3.9.8-1vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_ne1000_0.9.0-2vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_nenic_1.0.35.0-5vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_nfnic_5.0.0.35-4vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_nhpsa_70.0051.0.100-4vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_nmlx5-core-esxio_4.23.0.36-14vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_nmlx5-core_4.23.0.36-14vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_nmlx5-rdma-esxio_4.23.0.36-14vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_nmlx5-rdma_4.23.0.36-14vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_nmlxbf-gige-esxio_2.2-1vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_nmlxbf-pmc-esxio_0.1-1vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_ntg3_4.1.10.0-4vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_nvme-pcie-esxio_1.2.4.7-1vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_nvme-pcie_1.2.4.7-1vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_nvmerdma_1.0.3.9-1vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_nvmetcp_1.0.1.7-1vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_nvmxnet3-ens-esxio_2.0.0.23-2vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_nvmxnet3-ens_2.0.0.23-2vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_nvmxnet3-esxio_2.0.0.31-2vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_nvmxnet3_2.0.0.31-2vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_penedac-esxio_0.1-1vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_pengpio-esxio_0.1-1vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_pensandoatlas_1.46.0.E.28.1.303-2vmw.800.1.0.20796881, VMW_bootbank_penspi-esxio_0.1-1vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_pvscsi-esxio_0.1-5vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_pvscsi_0.1-5vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_qcnic_1.0.15.0-22vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_qedentv_3.40.5.70-7vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_qedrntv_3.40.5.70-3vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_qfle3_1.0.67.0-32vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_qfle3f_1.0.51.0-32vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_qfle3i_1.0.15.0-20vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_qflge_1.1.0.11-1vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_rd1173-esxio_0.1-1vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_rdmahl_1.0.0-1vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_rste_2.0.2.0088-7vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_sfvmk_2.4.0.2010-15vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_smartpqi_80.4385.0.200-1vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_spidev-esxio_0.1-1vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_vmkata_0.1-1vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_vmksdhci-esxio_1.0.3-3vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_vmksdhci_1.0.3-3vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_vmkusb-esxio_0.1-16vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_vmkusb_0.1-16vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMW_bootbank_vmw-ahci_2.0.15-1vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMware_bootbank_elx-esx-libelxima.so_12.0.1200.0-6vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMware_bootbank_esx-ui_2.12.0-21482143, VMware_bootbank_lsuv2-hpv2-hpsa-plugin_1.0.0-4vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMware_bootbank_lsuv2-intelv2-nvme-vmd-plugin_2.7.2173-2vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMware_bootbank_lsuv2-lsiv2-drivers-plugin_1.0.2-1vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMware_bootbank_lsuv2-nvme-pcie-plugin_1.0.0-1vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMware_bootbank_lsuv2-oem-dell-plugin_1.0.0-2vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMware_bootbank_lsuv2-oem-lenovo-plugin_1.0.0-2vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMware_bootbank_lsuv2-smartpqiv2-plugin_1.0.0-10vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMware_bootbank_qlnativefc_5.4.69.0-16vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMware_bootbank_vmware-esx-esxcli-nvme-plugin-esxio_1.2.0.52-1vmw.801.0.0.21495797, VMware_bootbank_vmware-esx-esxcli-nvme-plugin_1.2.0.52-1vmw.801.0.0.21495797 Reboot Required: true DPU Results: [root@thor:/vmfs/volumes/6157d890-878ae980-677d-c81f66ea874d/ISOs]
Restart ESXi server with reboot command.
[root@thor:/vmfs/volumes/6157d890-878ae980-677d-c81f66ea874d/ISOs]
[root@thor:/vmfs/volumes/6157d890-878ae980-677d-c81f66ea874d/ISOs] reboot -f
[root@thor:/vmfs/volumes/6157d890-878ae980-677d-c81f66ea874d/ISOs] Connection to thor.vcloud-lab.com closed by remote host.
Connection to thor.vcloud-lab.com closed.
After reboot check ESXi version. It looks good and I am ready to PowerOn VMs.
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