Upgrade vSphere ESXi Hosts to v6.7

Now that we have upgraded our vCenter Server, we can proceed to upgrade our ESXi hosts. First, let’s look at various options available for upgrade ESXi hosts.

There are several different ways to upgrade an ESXi hosts as listed below,

Upgrade ESXi host using installation media (DCUI, CLI or Script)
Upgrade ESXi host using vSphere Update Manager
Upgrade ESXi host using Auto deploy

From those methods we will discuss about upgrading ESXi hosts using vSphere Update Manager and using installation media (DCUI).

Before upgrade process begins you should verify the system meets the upgrade requirements. You can refer reference links to verify upgrade requirements.

Then we need to prepare the host for upgrade. You have to migrate or power off any existing virtual machines on the host as this process will reboot the host. Also it is recommended to take a backup of the host.

Also, if you have any custom 3rd party VIBs installed, you need to make sure that they are compatible with the new version. After all those preparations we can begin the upgrade process.

Now, we will look at upgrading ESXi host using the vSphere Update Manager.

Upgrade ESXi host using vSphere Update Manager

First, You need to download the ESXi hypervisor installation media (ISO) from my.vmware.com.

Then log into the vCenter and navigate to the update manager. Since we have upgrade our vCenter to v6.7 I will be using vSphere HTML5 client from now on.

After that, navigate to ESXi images and click on “Import” to upload the ESXi image to the update manager.

It will take some time to import the ESXi image into the update manager. After import completes you should be able to see the imported file listed under ESXi images.

Then we need to create a new upgrade baseline to perform the upgrade. Select the ESXi image you have just uploaded and click on new baseline.

You will get a wizard to create a new baseline. Provide a name and description for the baseline and click next.

Then select the relevant ESXi release image from the list and click on next.

Review the baseline information you have provided and then click on finish to complete the baseline creation.

Now we have a defined baseline to proceed with the upgrade. Let’s head to Hosts and Clusters view to continue the upgrade process.

Now select a host and then choose Updates from the available options for that host.

From the window select attach and then select the created baseline. Then click OK to complete.

You will see that the baseline has attached to the particular host. Click on check compliance to validate the host compliance against the attached baseline.

It will take some time and after the compliance check completed you should notice that the compliance status changed to “Not Compliant”.

You should run the Pre-Check Remediation checklist to see whether any actions need to be taken before proceed with the upgrade.

Review any conflicts and re run the pre check. You should get no failed checks on both host level and cluster level.

After everything sorted out click on remediate to begin the upgrade process. You will get a EULA prompt. Check on the checkbox and click OK to continue.

Refer remediation options from the prompted window and click OK to continue.

Update manager will put the host in maintenance mode and continue remediation process. You can observe the progress under the recent tasks.

After Upgrade process completes, check on the server status to confirm that it has been upgraded to the desired version.

Upgrade ESXi host using Installation Media

First reboot the ESXi host and boot from the ESXi hypervisor installation Media (CD/USB/ISO)

Then after loading ESXi installer click on enter to continue.

Then read through EULA and press F11 to accept and continue.

Installer will scan for compatible devices for installation. Select the storage device that you have previously installed ESXi and press enter to continue.

Installer will detect the existing installation and then prompt 3 upgrade options. Select one option as you prefer and press enter.