HOW TO: Update VMware ESXi 7.0U2 to ESXi 7.0U2a direct from ...

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> HOW TO: Update VMware ESXi 7.0U2 to ESXi 7.0U2a direct from VMware.

On 29 April 2021, VMware released the second U2a update for ESXi 7.0. ESXi 7.0 U2a is Build 17867351.This article will show you how to update ESXi 7.0U2 to ESXi 7.0U2a in 2 easy steps to get your system up to the latest release.

In this tutorial, the version of ESXi 7.0 installed is ESXi 7.0U2, released on 20 April 2021, but this article can be followed to upgrade any version of ESXi 7.0

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f your ESXi host has access to the internet, this method will pull the update direct from the internet and update the ESXi host. If you prefer the slower old fashioned method or your host does not have access to this internet, please follow this article -

HOW TO: Update VMware ESXi 7.0U2 to ESXi 7.0U2a in 5 easy steps

VMware has removed my older legacy processors (CPUs) from ESXi 7.0U2, and also storage and network controllers, please check the

VMware Hardware Compatability Lists (HCL) here.

The VMware Hardware Compatibility List is the list showing actual vendor devices that have been tested and certified by VMware or VMware partners. Items on the list are tested with VMware products and are known to operate correctly. Devices that are not on the list may function, but will not be supported by VMware, and may cause issues.

Before we get started:

It is important to ensure you have valid backups of your virtual machines before you make any changes to a Production VMware vSphere Hypervisor ESXi 7.0 Host server, which is hosting virtual machines. All virtual machines must be powered off with the server in maintenance mode.

Here are the steps to upgrade your software:

1. Connect to the ESXi 7.0 host server via SSH

There is no requirement to download the update from the internet and upload to a datastore using this method.At the console prompt, typevmware -lto confirm the ESXi version. VMware ESXi 7.0 Update 2 or later should be returned, though this will depend upon whether any patches have been applied. In this tutorial, the build installed is 7.0U2. 2. Use esxcli at the console command line to update the serveresxcli system maintenanceMode set -e true

This command enables maintenance mode. The host ESXi server must be in maintenance mode to be patched and updated. Virtual machines must be powered off.

esxcli network firewall ruleset set -e true -r httpClient

This command enables httpClient via the firewall.

esxcli software profile update -p ESXi-7.0U2a-17867351-standard -d https://hostupdate.vmware.com/software/VUM/PRODUCTION/main/vmw-depot-index.xml

This command pulls the update direct from the internet, updates the host, and applies it to the host.

The above command does not produce any feedback if entered correctly. After approximately 20 seconds, the upgrade should be completed, however, we have found that if you are using slow USB flash drives and SD cards, this can take considerably longer for the files to be written. You will be presented with the following screen upon completion:If all is well, you should see an update screen, as above, you may have to scroll the screen to see all the information. But check the update result at the top. The update completed successfully, but the system needs to be rebooted for the changes to be effective.You should be able to see new VIB packages installed, removed, and some have been skipped. If you are using a Vendor custom image (OEM version) of VMware ESXi 7.0U2 (e.g. from HPE, Lenovo, DellEMC, Fujitsu) your output could be different.Type esxcli network firewall ruleset set -e false -r httpClientto disable the httpClient rule you enabled earlier.reboot5. Check the ESXi 7.0U2 Host server has been updated.

The Console Screen should report VMware ESXi 7.0.0 (VMKernel Release Build 17867351 )

Congratulations, you have successfully updated your host server from VMware ESXi 7.0U2 to VMware ESXi 7.0U2a.

This method works for all versions of ESXi and updates, you just need to change the updates!

Basic VMware Articles Series:These articles are also applicable to VMware vSphere Hypervisor ESXi 5.0, 5.5, 6.0.

These articles apply to VMware vSphere Hypervisor 6.5.

These articles apply to VMware vSphere Hypervisor 6.7.Previous articles in this VMware vSphere 7.0 series are here.

and new for 2021 Hancock's VMware Half Hour Video Series

If you found this tutorial helpful, please do click the Thumbs-Up icon below. This lets me know what is valuable for EE members and provides direction for future articles. If you have a related question based on this article, please click here.Thank you very much! Regards, Andy