Initializing the Windows-based VMware vCenter Update Manager database without reinstalling it

Products

• VMware vCenter Server
• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

This article provides steps to reinitialize the vCenter Update Manager database without having to reinstall it.

 

Note: You can follow these steps to also resolve issues related to out-of-sync database and patch store information.

Environment

• VMware vSphere Update Manager 5.1.x
• VMware vSphere Update Manager 6.0.x
• VMware vSphere Update Manager 5.5.x
• VMware vSphere Update Manager 5.0.x

Resolution

To reinitialize the Update Manager database without reinstalling it:

1. Back up the Update Manager database. Do not skip this step. For more information, see Backing up the vCenter Server database running on Microsoft SQL or SQL Express server.
    
2. Connect to the vCenter Server Windows virtual machine via VMware console or Remote Desktop Connection and log into the Windows guest operating system in order to carry out the following instructions.
3. Stop the VMware vSphere Update Manager service. For more information, see Stopping, starting, or restarting vCenter services (1003895).
    
4. Open an administrative command prompt. For more information, see Opening a command or shell prompt (1003892).
    
5. From the administrative command prompt, run this command to change the directory to the Update Manager install path.
   
   For Windows 5.x versions:
   c:\> cd "C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\Infrastructure\Update Manager\"
   
   For Windows 6.x versions:
   c:\> cd "C:\Program Files\VMware\Infrastructure\Update Manager\"
   
   Note: This is the default installation path for Update Manager. Change accordingly if it has been installed to a non-default location.
   
   
6. Run this command:
   
   vciInstallUtils.exe -O dbcreate -C . -L . (Both . should be used)
   
   Note: This command completely erases the Update Manager database. All custom baselines and imported patches are lost.
    
7. Restart the VMware vSphere Update Manager service. For more information, see Stopping, starting, or restarting vCenter services (1003895).
    
8. Log in to vCenter Server using the vSphere Client.
    
9. Go to Home > Update Manager.
    
10. Click the Configuration tab.
     
11. Click Download Settings.
     
12. Click Download Now to initiate the download task.
     
13. Re-import any offline bundles, async drivers, third party extensions, and ESXi upgrade bundles.

Additional Information

• Opening a command or shell prompt
• How to stop, start, or restart vCenter Server services
• Backing up the vCenter Server database running on Microsoft SQL or SQL Express server
• Resetting VMware Update Manager Database on a vCenter Server Appliance 6.5 or vCenter Server Appliance 6.7
• "Cannot download software packages from patch source" error when remediating the ESXi host using VMware Update Manager (64995)