ESXi build number shows incorrect after 8.0 Update 3j patching

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

• ESXi hosts are upgraded to VMware ESXi 8.0 U3j with build number 25429389 using the offline bundle. However, the host shows the build number VMware ESXi 8.0.3 25410958 after patching.
• ESXi offline bundle "VMware-ESXi-8.0U3j-25429389-depot.zip" downloaded from the Download Portal is used to patch the hosts and patching is initiated from the Cisco HX connect software.
• ESX update logs on ESXi shows the following entries:
  
  /var/run/log/esxupdate.log

YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SSZ In(14) esxupdate[####]: Options = {'depot': ['/tmp/.ansible/esxiupgrade_bundle.zip'], 'viburl': None, 'nameid': None, 'profile': 'ESXi-8.0U3sj-25410958-standard', 'baseimageversion': None, 'addon': None, 'softwarespec': None, 'level': None, 'updateonly': False, 'noliveinstall': False, 'nomaintmode': False, 'force': False, 'dryrun': False, 'oktoremove': False, 'proxy': None, 'nosigcheck': False, 'pending': None, 'rebooting': False, 'downgrade': True, 'nohwwarning': True}

Environment

• VMware ESXi 8.0.
• Cisco Hyperflex (Cisco HX Connect).

Cause

There are two image profiles for VMware ESXi 8.0 U3j as per the Release Notes, which are listed below:

1. ESXi 8.0 U3sj - 25410958 (Security only image)
2. ESXi 8.0 U3j - 25429389 (Security and Bugfix image)

This issue occurs when the host is patched with "Security Only" image instead of the "Security and Bugfix" image profile. This needs to be selected while applying the patch, and Cisco HX Connect UI do not have an option to select the image profile.

Refer Apply a Non-Custom ESXI Image Patch on an Hyperflex Cluster for more information on patching using Cisco HX Connect.

Resolution

Currently Cisco HX Connect UI patching method do not have an option to select the Image Profile. Refer to vendor documentation or Contact Cisco support.

Workaround

Follow any of the Methods mentioned below to apply the patch on the ESXi host.

Method 1:

1. Use the CLI option to patch the host as explained in the Cisco article Apply a Non-Custom ESXI Image Patch on an Hyperflex Cluster.

Method 2:

Create a Custom Image using "Image Builder" service on vCenter Server which contains only the required image by folllowing below steps.

1. Login to vCenter Server using vSphere Client.
2. Enable Image Builder Service, refer Configure the vSphere ESXi Image Builder.
3. Import the offline bundle VMware-ESXi-8.0U3j-25429389-depot.zip to Image Builder, refer Import a Software Depot.
4. Export the required Image Profile to Offline Bundle Zip file, refer Export an Image Profile to ISO or Offline Bundle ZIP.
   1. Select the Image "ESXi-8.0U3j-25429389-standard" to update the host to 8.0 U3j.
      
      
      
      
   2. Select ZIP as the option.
      
      
      
      
   3. Download the bundle by clicking on DOWNLOAD button.
      
      
      
      
5. Use the download image to patch the host which contains only one image profile.

Additional Information

Difference between ESXi host offline bundle profiles.