Upgrade an ESXi 7.x/8.x Host with Offline Zip Bundle

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

This article outlines the procedure for offline ESXi 7.x/8.x host upgrade from the command line using a zip bundle and esxcli software sources profile commands.
 

• Note: An upgrade involves major changes in the software, and requires an upgrade from the previous version, for example, vSphere 7.x to 8.x
• A release that makes a smaller change, requiring only a patch or update, is indicated by an update number, for example, vSphere 7.0 Update 1.
• If you require esxcli software vib commands to patch an ESXi host, see:

Patching ESXi host using Command Line

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi 6.x
VMware vSphere ESXi 7.x
VMware vSphere ESXi 8.x

Resolution

To upgrade an ESXi 7.x  with Offline Zip Bundle:

1. Download the .zip file using below kb article:

https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article/366685

2. Upload the zip file to datastore 

3. To get a list of available profiles within a path use the command below:
    esxcli software sources profile list -d <location of ZIP file> 

4. Run this command to update the host:

   esxcli software profile update -p <profile name> -d <location of ZIP file> 

5. Reboot the esxi host.

Additional Information

Overview of the ESXi Host Upgrade Process

https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article/316421/upgrading-esxi-through-esxcli-vib-updat.html

 

https://techdocs.broadcom.com/us/en/vmware-cis/vsphere/vsphere/7-0/esxi-upgrade-7-0/upgrading-esxi-hosts-upgrade/upgrading-hosts-using-by-esxcli-commands-upgrade/upgrade-or-update-a-host-with-image-profiles-upgrade.html