Error: "Cannot Download VIB" when attempting to patch/update ESXi hosts

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

• Staging host patch fails

• Repository shows Connectivity Status: Not Connected

• curl -v -k https://hostupdate.vmware.com fails on vCenter Server

Cause

• Network is not allowing vCenter TCP 443 to hostupdate.vmware.com due to firewall or proxy
• A DNS issue prevents hostupdate.vmware.com from resolving 

Resolution

vCenter Server must be able to communicate with https://hostupdate.vmware.com over TCP 443 which is currently resolving to the below IPs.

IPv4

• 162.159.140.167
• 172.66.0.165

IPv6

• 2a06:98c1:58::a5
• 2606:4700:7::a5