HCX Manager - "Check for Updates" button not available

Products

• VMware HCX

Issue/Introduction

In HCX Manager Administration -> System updates , there is no "Check for Updates" after HCX Manager was upgraded to version 4.9 or later:

Environment

HCX 4.9 or later

Resolution

If the "Check for Updates" button is not available then most likely the HCX Manager is deployed in Local mode which does not require internet connection.

VMware HCX 4.9 Release Notes explains that for HCX systems enabled with NSX Data Center Enterprise Plus keys, HCX systems will be transitioned to the local mode by default after upgrade.
Note: "No change for HCX systems (hyperscaler sites) for VMware Cloud on AWS, VMware Cloud Provider Program (VCPP), and other hyperscaler installations not using NSX Data Center Enterprise Plus product keys."

 

Due to that reason,  upgrade should be done through management port 9443 using offline bundle.

As per HCX user guide: 

"HCX deployments can be activated in one of several modes: Local, Connected, or Evaluation. In Local or Evaluation mode, no connections are made to VMware for the purpose of license validation, upgrade notifications, or download of HCX upgrade bundles. In Local Mode, HCX admins obtain the upgrade bundles manually from support.broadcom.com."

Additional Information

HCX upgrade bundle can be downloaded from the Broadcom Support Portal. Next to your profile on top right, click the dropdown and go to VMware Cloud Foundation -> My Downloads -> VMware HCX

Reference: https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article/142814/download-broadcom-products-and-software.html