VMware ESXi
From Leo's Notes
Last edited on 14 December 2020, at 03:18.
Keys
The hypervisor keys are available for free. To obtain one:
- Go to https://my.vmware.com/en/group/vmware/evalcenter?p=free-esxi6
- Log in. Go to "License & Download" and look under the "License Information" section.
The license key 'VMware vSphere Hypervisor 6 License' works on all 6.x hypervisors.
Without a key, ESXi enters the "Evaluation Mode" which has all the features enabled for 60 days.
The features between an 'Evaluation' and 'VMware vSphere 6 Enterprise Plus'
| Evaluation Mode | Enterprise Plus |
|---|---|
Key: 00000-00000-00000-00000-00000
Expiration date:
Features:
Unlimited virtual SMP
H.264 for Remote Console Connections
vCenter agent for VMware host
vSphere API
Content Library
Storage APIs
vSphere vMotion
X-Switch vMotion
vSphere HA
vSphere Data Protection
vShield Endpoint
vSphere Replication
vShield Zones
Hot-Pluggable virtual HW
vSphere Storage vMotion
Shared Smart Card Reader
vSphere FT (up to 4 virtual CPUs)
Virtual Volumes
APIs for Storage Awareness
Storage-Policy Based Management
vSphere Storage APIs for Array Integration
vSphere DRS
Remote virtual Serial Port Concentrator
MPIO / Third-Party Multi-Pathing
Big Data Extensions
Reliable Memory
vSphere Distributed Switch
vSphere Host Profiles
vSphere Auto Deploy
SR-IOV
vSphere Storage I/O Control
Direct Path vMotion
vSphere Storage DRS
vSphere vMotion Metro
vSphere View Accelerator
vSphere App HA
vSphere Flash Read Cache
Cross Virtual Center vMotion
vGPU
vSphere Proactive HA
vSphere VM Encryption
vSphere Encrypted vMotion
vSphere Predictive DRS
|
Key: xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
Expiration date: Never
Features:
Unlimited virtual SMP
H.264 for Remote Console Connections
vCenter agent for VMware host
vSphere API
Content Library
Storage APIs
vSphere vMotion
X-Switch vMotion
vSphere HA
vSphere Data Protection
vShield Endpoint
vSphere Replication
vShield Zones
Hot-Pluggable virtual HW
vSphere Storage vMotion
Shared Smart Card Reader
vSphere FT (up to 4 virtual CPUs)
Virtual Volumes
APIs for Storage Awareness
Storage-Policy Based Management
vSphere Storage APIs for Array Integration
vSphere DRS
Remote virtual Serial Port Concentrator
MPIO / Third-Party Multi-Pathing
Big Data Extensions
Reliable Memory
vSphere Distributed Switch
vSphere Host Profiles
vSphere Auto Deploy
SR-IOV
vSphere Storage I/O Control
Direct Path vMotion
vSphere Storage DRS
vSphere vMotion Metro
vSphere View Accelerator
vSphere App HA
vSphere Flash Read Cache
Cross Virtual Center vMotion
vGPU
vSphere Proactive HA
vSphere VM Encryption
vSphere Encrypted vMotion
|
Installation
The easiest way is to just burn the iso image and install via CD/DVD.
But if your server doesn't have a CD/DVD reader, you can try getting a USB stick.
USB Stick
I suggest using rufus on Windows to build the USB stick. I was able to get it working with ESXi 6.5 no problem.
If you're on Linux, you can try to do it manually using the steps below. Warning: These steps didn't work for me for ESXi 6.5. I kept on getting failed to load COM32 file menu.c32 when booting. I tried replacing the menu.c32 file from /usr/share/syslinux/menu.c32 to no avail.
## Set up the USB drive
root@nas:/mnt/iso# fdisk /dev/sdk
Welcome to fdisk (util-linux 2.28.2).
Changes will remain in memory only, until you decide to write them.
Be careful before using the write command.
Command (m for help): o
Created a new DOS disklabel with disk identifier 0xde56333a.
Command (m for help): p
Disk /dev/sdk: 14.7 GiB, 15720251392 bytes, 30703616 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disklabel type: dos
Disk identifier: 0xde56333a
Command (m for help): n
Partition type
p primary (0 primary, 0 extended, 4 free)
e extended (container for logical partitions)
Select (default p): p
Partition number (1-4, default 1):
First sector (2048-30703615, default 2048):
Last sector, +sectors or +size{K,M,G,T,P} (2048-30703615, default 30703615):
Created a new partition 1 of type 'Linux' and of size 14.7 GiB.
Command (m for help): t
Selected partition 1
Partition type (type L to list all types): c
Changed type of partition 'Linux' to 'W95 FAT32 (LBA)'.
Command (m for help): a
Selected partition 1
The bootable flag on partition 1 is enabled now.
Command (m for help): p
Disk /dev/sdk: 14.7 GiB, 15720251392 bytes, 30703616 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disklabel type: dos
Disk identifier: 0xde56333a
Device Boot Start End Sectors Size Id Type
/dev/sdk1 * 2048 30703615 30701568 14.7G c W95 FAT32 (LBA)
Command (m for help): wq
The partition table has been altered.
Calling ioctl() to re-read partition table.
Syncing disks.
## Format the drive
root@nas:/mnt/iso# mkfs.vfat -F 32 -n USB /dev/sdk1
mkfs.fat 4.1 (2017-01-24)
## Use the syslinux utility (from syslinux-nonlinux-6.04-0.1.fc25.noarch)
root@nas:/mnt/iso# syslinux /dev/sdk1
root@nas:/usr# cat /usr/share/syslinux/mbr.bin > /dev/sdk
## Copy the files
root@nas:/mnt# mount /dev/sdk1 usb
root@nas:/mnt# cp -r iso/* usb
## Edit the syslinux.cfg file
root@nas:/mnt/usb# mv isolinux.cfg syslinux.cfg
## Edit syslinux.cfg so that the APPEND line is 'APPEND -c boot.cfg -p 1'
root@nas:/mnt/usb# cat syslinux.cfg
DEFAULT menu.c32
MENU TITLE ESXi-6.5.0-20170104001-standard Boot Menu
NOHALT 1
PROMPT 0
TIMEOUT 80
LABEL install
KERNEL mboot.c32
APPEND -c boot.cfg -p 1
MENU LABEL ESXi-6.5.0-20170104001-standard ^Installer
LABEL hddboot
LOCALBOOT 0x80
MENU LABEL ^Boot from local disk
## Unmount the image
Updating
Make sure the update is compatible!
When upgrading across major versions, you need to make absolutely sure that your hardware is capable of supporting the new version. Refer to https://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility.That means no, you cannot update your HP Proliant DL380 G6 past ESXi 6.5.
6.5 to 6.7
Download the offline depot package from https://my.vmware.com/group/vmware/details?productId=742&rPId=24857&downloadGroup=ESXI670. Apply the update like so:
[root@server:/vmfs/volumes/5a6304dd-44fda002-ed6b-0026552dc0d8] esxcli software sources profile list -d /vmfs/volumes/5a6304dd-44fda002-ed6b-0026552dc0d8/
VMware-ESXi-6.7.0-8169922-depot.zip
Name Vendor Acceptance Level
--------------------------- ------------ ----------------
ESXi-6.7.0-8169922-no-tools VMware, Inc. PartnerSupported
ESXi-6.7.0-8169922-standard VMware, Inc. PartnerSupported
[root@server:/vmfs/volumes/5a6304dd-44fda002-ed6b-0026552dc0d8] esxcli software profile update -p ESXi-6.7.0-8169922-standard -d /vmfs/volumes/5a6304dd-44
fda002-ed6b-0026552dc0d8/VMware-ESXi-6.7.0-8169922-depot.zip
Update Result
Message: The update completed successfully, but the system needs to be rebooted for the changes to be effective.
Reboot Required: true
VIBs Installed: VMW_bootbank_ata-libata-92_3.00.9.2-16vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_ata-pata-amd_0.3.10-3vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_ata-pata-atiixp_0.4.6-4vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_ata-pata-cmd64x_0.2.5-3vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_ata-pata-hpt3x2n_0.3.4-3vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_ata-pata-pdc2027x_1.0-3vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_ata-pata-serverworks_0.4.3-3vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_ata-pata-sil680_0.4.8-3vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_ata-pata-via_0.3.3-2vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_block-cciss_3.6.14-10vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_bnxtnet_20.6.101.7-11vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_brcmfcoe_11.4.1078.0-8vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_char-random_1.0-3vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_ehci-ehci-hcd_1.0-4vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_elxiscsi_11.4.1174.0-2vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_elxnet_11.4.1094.0-5vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_hid-hid_1.0-3vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_i40en_1.3.1-18vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_iavmd_1.2.0.1011-2vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_igbn_0.1.0.0-15vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_ima-qla4xxx_2.02.18-1vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_ipmi-ipmi-devintf_39.1-4vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_ipmi-ipmi-msghandler_39.1-4vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_ipmi-ipmi-si-drv_39.1-4vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_iser_1.0.0.0-1vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_ixgben_1.4.1-11vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_lpfc_11.4.33.1-6vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_lpnic_11.4.59.0-1vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_lsi-mr3_7.702.13.00-4vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_lsi-msgpt2_20.00.04.00-4vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_lsi-msgpt35_03.00.01.00-10vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_lsi-msgpt3_16.00.01.00-1vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_misc-cnic-register_1.78.75.v60.7-1vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_misc-drivers_6.7.0-0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_mtip32xx-native_3.9.6-1vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_ne1000_0.8.3-4vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_nenic_1.0.11.0-1vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_net-bnx2_2.2.4f.v60.10-2vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_net-bnx2x_1.78.80.v60.12-2vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_net-cdc-ether_1.0-3vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_net-cnic_1.78.76.v60.13-2vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_net-e1000_8.0.3.1-5vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_net-e1000e_3.2.2.1-2vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_net-enic_2.1.2.38-2vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_net-fcoe_1.0.29.9.3-7vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_net-forcedeth_0.61-2vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_net-igb_5.0.5.1.1-5vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_net-ixgbe_3.7.13.7.14iov-20vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_net-libfcoe-92_1.0.24.9.4-8vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_net-mlx4-core_1.9.7.0-1vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_net-mlx4-en_1.9.7.0-1vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_net-nx-nic_5.0.621-5vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_net-tg3_3.131d.v60.4-2vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_net-usbnet_1.0-3vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_net-vmxnet3_1.1.3.0-3vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_nhpsa_2.0.22-1vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_nmlx4-core_3.17.9.12-1vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_nmlx4-en_3.17.9.12-1vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_nmlx4-rdma_3.17.9.12-1vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_nmlx5-core_4.17.9.12-1vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_nmlx5-rdma_4.17.9.12-1vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_ntg3_4.1.3.0-1vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_nvme_1.2.1.34-1vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_nvmxnet3-ens_2.0.0.21-1vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_nvmxnet3_2.0.0.27-1vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_ohci-usb-ohci_1.0-3vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_pvscsi_0.1-2vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_qcnic_1.0.2.0.4-1vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_qedentv_2.0.6.4-8vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_qfle3_1.0.50.11-9vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_qfle3f_1.0.25.0.2-14vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_qfle3i_1.0.2.3.9-3vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_qflge_1.1.0.11-1vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_sata-ahci_3.0-26vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_sata-ata-piix_2.12-10vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_sata-sata-nv_3.5-4vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_sata-sata-promise_2.12-3vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_sata-sata-sil24_1.1-1vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_sata-sata-sil_2.3-4vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_sata-sata-svw_2.3-3vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_scsi-aacraid_1.1.5.1-9vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_scsi-adp94xx_1.0.8.12-6vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_scsi-aic79xx_3.1-6vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_scsi-bnx2fc_1.78.78.v60.8-1vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_scsi-bnx2i_2.78.76.v60.8-1vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_scsi-fnic_1.5.0.45-3vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_scsi-hpsa_6.0.0.84-3vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_scsi-ips_7.12.05-4vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_scsi-iscsi-linux-92_1.0.0.2-3vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_scsi-libfc-92_1.0.40.9.3-5vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_scsi-megaraid-mbox_2.20.5.1-6vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_scsi-megaraid-sas_6.603.55.00-2vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_scsi-megaraid2_2.00.4-9vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_scsi-mpt2sas_19.00.00.00-2vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_scsi-mptsas_4.23.01.00-10vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_scsi-mptspi_4.23.01.00-10vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_scsi-qla4xxx_5.01.03.2-7vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_shim-iscsi-linux-9-2-1-0_6.7.0-0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_shim-iscsi-linux-9-2-2-0_6.7.0-0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_shim-libata-9-2-1-0_6.7.0-0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_shim-libata-9-2-2-0_6.7.0-0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_shim-libfc-9-2-1-0_6.7.0-0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_shim-libfc-9-2-2-0_6.7.0-0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_shim-libfcoe-9-2-1-0_6.7.0-0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_shim-libfcoe-9-2-2-0_6.7.0-0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_shim-vmklinux-9-2-1-0_6.7.0-0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_shim-vmklinux-9-2-2-0_6.7.0-0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_shim-vmklinux-9-2-3-0_6.7.0-0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_smartpqi_1.0.1.553-10vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_uhci-usb-uhci_1.0-3vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_usb-storage-usb-storage_1.0-3vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_usbcore-usb_1.0-3vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_vmkata_0.1-1vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_vmkfcoe_1.0.0.0-1vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_vmkplexer-vmkplexer_6.7.0-0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_vmkusb_0.1-1vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_vmw-ahci_1.2.0-6vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMW_bootbank_xhci-xhci_1.0-3vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMware_bootbank_cpu-microcode_6.7.0-0.0.8169922, VMware_bootbank_elx-esx-libelxima.so_11.4.1184.0-0.0.8169922, VMware_bootbank_esx-base_6.7.0-0.0.8169922, VMware_bootbank_esx-dvfilter-generic-fastpath_6.7.0-0.0.8169922, VMware_bootbank_esx-ui_1.25.0-7872652, VMware_bootbank_esx-xserver_6.7.0-0.0.8169922, VMware_bootbank_lsu-hp-hpsa-plugin_2.0.0-13vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMware_bootbank_lsu-lsi-lsi-mr3-plugin_1.0.0-12vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMware_bootbank_lsu-lsi-lsi-msgpt3-plugin_1.0.0-8vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMware_bootbank_lsu-lsi-megaraid-sas-plugin_1.0.0-9vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMware_bootbank_lsu-lsi-mpt2sas-plugin_2.0.0-7vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMware_bootbank_native-misc-drivers_6.7.0-0.0.8169922, VMware_bootbank_qlnativefc_3.0.1.0-5vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMware_bootbank_rste_2.0.2.0088-7vmw.670.0.0.8169922, VMware_bootbank_vmware-esx-esxcli-nvme-plugin_1.2.0.32-0.0.8169922, VMware_bootbank_vsan_6.7.0-0.0.8169922, VMware_bootbank_vsanhealth_6.7.0-0.0.8169922, VMware_locker_tools-light_10.2.0.7253323-8169922
VIBs Removed: VMW_bootbank_ata-libata-92_3.00.9.2-16vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_ata-pata-amd_0.3.10-3vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_ata-pata-atiixp_0.4.6-4vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_ata-pata-cmd64x_0.2.5-3vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_ata-pata-hpt3x2n_0.3.4-3vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_ata-pata-pdc2027x_1.0-3vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_ata-pata-serverworks_0.4.3-3vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_ata-pata-sil680_0.4.8-3vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_ata-pata-via_0.3.3-2vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_block-cciss_3.6.14-10vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_char-random_1.0-3vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_ehci-ehci-hcd_1.0-3vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_elxnet_11.1.91.0-1vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_hid-hid_1.0-3vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_i40en_1.1.0-1vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_igbn_0.1.0.0-12vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_ima-qla4xxx_2.02.18-1vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_ipmi-ipmi-devintf_39.1-4vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_ipmi-ipmi-msghandler_39.1-4vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_ipmi-ipmi-si-drv_39.1-4vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_ixgben_1.0.0.0-8vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_lpfc_11.1.0.6-1vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_lsi-mr3_6.910.18.00-1vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_lsi-msgpt2_20.00.01.00-3vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_lsi-msgpt3_12.00.02.00-11vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_misc-cnic-register_1.78.75.v60.7-1vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_misc-drivers_6.5.0-0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_mtip32xx-native_3.9.5-1vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_ne1000_0.8.0-9vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_nenic_1.0.0.2-1vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_net-bnx2_2.2.4f.v60.10-2vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_net-bnx2x_1.78.80.v60.12-1vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_net-cdc-ether_1.0-3vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_net-cnic_1.78.76.v60.13-2vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_net-e1000_8.0.3.1-5vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_net-e1000e_3.2.2.1-2vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_net-enic_2.1.2.38-2vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_net-fcoe_1.0.29.9.3-7vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_net-forcedeth_0.61-2vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_net-igb_5.0.5.1.1-5vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_net-ixgbe_3.7.13.7.14iov-20vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_net-libfcoe-92_1.0.24.9.4-8vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_net-mlx4-core_1.9.7.0-1vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_net-mlx4-en_1.9.7.0-1vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_net-nx-nic_5.0.621-5vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_net-tg3_3.131d.v60.4-2vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_net-usbnet_1.0-3vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_net-vmxnet3_1.1.3.0-3vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_nhpsa_2.0.6-3vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_nmlx4-core_3.16.0.0-1vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_nmlx4-en_3.16.0.0-1vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_nmlx4-rdma_3.16.0.0-1vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_nmlx5-core_4.16.0.0-1vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_ntg3_4.1.0.0-1vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_nvme_1.2.0.32-2vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_nvmxnet3_2.0.0.22-1vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_ohci-usb-ohci_1.0-3vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_pvscsi_0.1-1vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_qedentv_2.0.3.29-1vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_qfle3_1.0.2.7-1vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_qflge_1.1.0.3-1vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_qlnativefc_2.1.30.0-11vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_sata-ahci_3.0-22vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_sata-ata-piix_2.12-10vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_sata-sata-nv_3.5-4vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_sata-sata-promise_2.12-3vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_sata-sata-sil24_1.1-1vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_sata-sata-sil_2.3-4vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_sata-sata-svw_2.3-3vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_scsi-aacraid_1.1.5.1-9vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_scsi-adp94xx_1.0.8.12-6vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_scsi-aic79xx_3.1-5vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_scsi-bnx2fc_1.78.78.v60.8-1vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_scsi-bnx2i_2.78.76.v60.8-1vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_scsi-fnic_1.5.0.45-3vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_scsi-hpsa_6.0.0.84-1vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_scsi-ips_7.12.05-4vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_scsi-iscsi-linux-92_1.0.0.2-3vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_scsi-libfc-92_1.0.40.9.3-5vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_scsi-megaraid-mbox_2.20.5.1-6vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_scsi-megaraid-sas_6.603.55.00-2vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_scsi-megaraid2_2.00.4-9vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_scsi-mpt2sas_19.00.00.00-1vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_scsi-mptsas_4.23.01.00-10vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_scsi-mptspi_4.23.01.00-10vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_scsi-qla4xxx_5.01.03.2-7vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_shim-iscsi-linux-9-2-1-0_6.5.0-0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_shim-iscsi-linux-9-2-2-0_6.5.0-0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_shim-libata-9-2-1-0_6.5.0-0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_shim-libata-9-2-2-0_6.5.0-0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_shim-libfc-9-2-1-0_6.5.0-0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_shim-libfc-9-2-2-0_6.5.0-0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_shim-libfcoe-9-2-1-0_6.5.0-0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_shim-libfcoe-9-2-2-0_6.5.0-0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_shim-vmklinux-9-2-1-0_6.5.0-0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_shim-vmklinux-9-2-2-0_6.5.0-0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_shim-vmklinux-9-2-3-0_6.5.0-0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_uhci-usb-uhci_1.0-3vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_usb-storage-usb-storage_1.0-3vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_usbcore-usb_1.0-3vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_vmkata_0.1-1vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_vmkplexer-vmkplexer_6.5.0-0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_vmkusb_0.1-1vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_vmw-ahci_1.0.0-32vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMW_bootbank_xhci-xhci_1.0-3vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMware_bootbank_cpu-microcode_6.5.0-0.0.4564106, VMware_bootbank_emulex-esx-elxnetcli_11.1.28.0-0.0.4564106, VMware_bootbank_esx-base_6.5.0-0.9.4887370, VMware_bootbank_esx-dvfilter-generic-fastpath_6.5.0-0.0.4564106, VMware_bootbank_esx-tboot_6.5.0-0.0.4564106, VMware_bootbank_esx-ui_1.8.0-4516221, VMware_bootbank_esx-xserver_6.5.0-0.0.4564106, VMware_bootbank_lsu-hp-hpsa-plugin_2.0.0-3vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMware_bootbank_lsu-lsi-lsi-mr3-plugin_1.0.0-7vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMware_bootbank_lsu-lsi-lsi-msgpt3-plugin_1.0.0-6vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMware_bootbank_lsu-lsi-megaraid-sas-plugin_1.0.0-7vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMware_bootbank_lsu-lsi-mpt2sas-plugin_2.0.0-5vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMware_bootbank_native-misc-drivers_6.5.0-0.0.4564106, VMware_bootbank_rste_2.0.2.0088-4vmw.650.0.0.4564106, VMware_bootbank_vmware-esx-esxcli-nvme-plugin_1.2.0.10-0.0.4564106, VMware_bootbank_vsan_6.5.0-0.9.4887370, VMware_bootbank_vsanhealth_6.5.0-0.9.4887370
VIBs Skipped:
6.0 to 6.5
Download the offline depot package and apply the update:
# esxcli software profile update -p ESXi-6.5.0-4564106-standard -d /vmfs/volumes/vol/VMware-ESXi-6.5.0-4564106-depot.zip
This package requires a subscription. If you're using the free license, either get the evaluation or install the update by booting with the ISO image.
5.5 to 6.0
To update a ESXi install from 5.5 to 6.0, download the ESXi 6.0 offline bundle and upload it to a datastore on the server.
Log in via SSH and execute
# esxcli software vib update -d /vmfs/volumes/datastore1/ESXi600-201504001.zip
Then reboot to apply the changes.
See Also:
Other Notes
When upgrading ESXi, keep in mind that newer versions may drop support for older CPUs.
According to the Release Notes, ESXi 6.5 drops support for the following CPUs:
Intel Xeon 51xx series
Intel Xeon 30xx series
Intel core 2 duo 6xxx series
Intel Xeon 32xx series
Intel core 2 quad 6xxx series
Intel Xeon 53xx series
Intel Xeon 72xx/73xx series
On a Xeon X5570 (HP DL380 G6), installing ESXi 6.5 gave a CPU_SUPPORT warning.
HP Smart Array
Download the vib packages from HP at http://vibsdepot.hpe.com/hpe/jul2017/.
The packages you want are:
- Smart storage admin CLI - http://vibsdepot.hpe.com/hpe/jul2017/esxi-650-vibs/ssacli/
- HP Drivers - http://vibsdepot.hpe.com/hpe/jul2017/esxi-650-drv-vibs/hpvsa/
Install the package. This may take a couple minutes.
[root@server:~] esxcli software vib install -v /scsi-hpvsa-5.5.0.102-1OEM.550.0.0.1331820.x86_64.vib
Installation Result
Message: The update completed successfully, but the system needs to be rebooted for the changes to be effective.
Reboot Required: true
VIBs Installed: HPE_bootbank_scsi-hpvsa_5.5.0.102-1OEM.550.0.0.1331820
VIBs Removed:
VIBs Skipped:
[root@server:~] esxcli software vib install -v /ssacli-3.10.3.0-6.5.0.vib
Installation Result
Message: The update completed successfully, but the system needs to be rebooted for the changes to be effective.
Reboot Required: true
VIBs Installed: HPE_bootbank_ssacli_3.10.3.0-6.5.0.4240417
VIBs Removed:
VIBs Skipped:
After installing the packages, reboot the system. After it comes back up, you should see the installed packages:
# esxcli software vib list
The ssacli utility is installed at /opt/smartstorageadmin/ssacli/bin/ssacli.
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
# ssacli ctrl all show
Smart Array P410i in Slot 0 (Embedded) (sn: 50123456789ABCDE)
|
Shows all controllers |
#ssacli ctrl all show config
Smart Array P410i in Slot 0 (Embedded) (sn: 50123456789ABCDE)
Port Name: 1I
Port Name: 2I
Internal Drive Cage at Port 1I, Box 1, OK
Internal Drive Cage at Port 2I, Box 1, OK
Array A (Solid State SATA, Unused Space: 0 MB)
logicaldrive 1 (59.6 GB, RAID 0, OK)
physicaldrive 1I:1:1 (port 1I:box 1:bay 1, SATA SSD, 64 GB, OK)
Array B (SAS, Unused Space: 0 MB)
logicaldrive 2 (279.4 GB, RAID 1, OK)
physicaldrive 1I:1:2 (port 1I:box 1:bay 2, SAS HDD, 300 GB, OK)
physicaldrive 1I:1:3 (port 1I:box 1:bay 3, SAS HDD, 300 GB, OK)
Array C (SATA, Unused Space: 0 MB)
logicaldrive 3 (465.7 GB, RAID 1, Interim Recovery Mode)
physicaldrive 2I:1:6 (port 2I:box 1:bay 6, SATA HDD, 500 GB, OK)
physicaldrive 2I:1:7 (port 2I:box 1:bay 7, SATA HDD, 0 GB, Failed)
Unassigned
physicaldrive 1I:1:4 (port 1I:box 1:bay 4, SAS HDD, 300 GB, OK)
physicaldrive 2I:1:8 (port 2I:box 1:bay 8, SAS HDD, 300 GB, OK)
SEP (Vendor ID PMCSIERA, Model SRC 8x6G) 250 (WWID: 50123456789ABCED)
|
Shows all controllers and drives |
# ssacli ctrl all show status
Smart Array P410i in Slot 0 (Embedded)
Controller Status: OK
Cache Status: OK
Battery/Capacitor Status: Failed (Replace Batteries/Capacitors)
|
Show controller status |
# ssacli ctrl slot=0 pd all show
Smart Array P410i in Slot 0 (Embedded)
Array A
physicaldrive 1I:1:1 (port 1I:box 1:bay 1, SATA SSD, 64 GB, OK)
Array B
physicaldrive 1I:1:2 (port 1I:box 1:bay 2, SAS HDD, 300 GB, OK)
physicaldrive 1I:1:3 (port 1I:box 1:bay 3, SAS HDD, 300 GB, OK)
Array C
physicaldrive 2I:1:6 (port 2I:box 1:bay 6, SATA HDD, 500 GB, OK)
physicaldrive 2I:1:7 (port 2I:box 1:bay 7, SATA HDD, 0 GB, Failed)
Unassigned
physicaldrive 1I:1:4 (port 1I:box 1:bay 4, SAS HDD, 300 GB, OK)
physicaldrive 2I:1:8 (port 2I:box 1:bay 8, SAS HDD, 300 GB, OK)
|
Lists all arrays and unassigned drives and their status |
# ssacli ctrl slot=0 ld all show
Smart Array P410i in Slot 0 (Embedded)
Array A
logicaldrive 1 (59.6 GB, RAID 0, OK)
Array B
logicaldrive 2 (279.4 GB, RAID 1, OK)
Array C
logicaldrive 3 (465.7 GB, RAID 1, Interim Recovery Mode)
|
Show logical drives |
# ssacli ctrl slot=0 pd 2I:1:6 show detail
Smart Array P410i in Slot 0 (Embedded)
Array C
physicaldrive 2I:1:6
Port: 2I
Box: 1
Bay: 6
Status: OK
Drive Type: Data Drive
Interface Type: SATA
Size: 500 GB
Drive exposed to OS: False
Logical/Physical Block Size: 512/512
Rotational Speed: 5400
Firmware Revision: DEM6
Serial Number: W3723FQN
WWID: 30123456789ABCD5
Model: ATA ST500LM000-1EJ16
SATA NCQ Capable: True
SATA NCQ Enabled: True
Current Temperature (C): 26
Maximum Temperature (C): 46
PHY Count: 1
PHY Transfer Rate: 3.0Gbps
Sanitize Erase Supported: False
Shingled Magnetic Recording Support: None
|
Show disk detail. |
# ssacli rescan
|
Rescans for new devices |
# ssacli ctrl slot=0 ld 1 show
Smart Array P410i in Slot 0 (Embedded)
Array A
Logical Drive: 1
Size: 59.6 GB
Fault Tolerance: 0
Heads: 255
Sectors Per Track: 32
Cylinders: 15316
Strip Size: 128 KB
Full Stripe Size: 128 KB
Status: OK
Caching: Enabled
Unique Identifier: 600508B1001037383941424344450500
Logical Drive Label: A006331B50123456789ABCDE0315
Drive Type: Data
LD Acceleration Method: Controller Cache
|
Displays detailed logical drive status |
# ssacli ctrl slot=0 create type=ld drives=1I:1:4,2I:1:8 raid=1
|
Create a new RAID 1 volume across 2 disks. |
# ssacli ctrl slot=0 array c delete forced
|
Deletes the array 'C' |
See more at: http://www.thegeekstuff.com/2014/07/hpacucli-examples
Troubleshooting
IOMMU Hangs
If your ESXi server hangs while "Initializing IOV", disable IOMMU by appending 'noIOMMU' to the kernel immediately after the new kernel boots by hitting Shift-O (letter O, not zero)
To make the changes persistent, add it to the boot arguments in /bootbank/boot.cfg
See Also:
Removing a NFS v4.1 storage using CLI
I have a NFS v4.1 mount which shows up when running df but doesn't show up in the ESXi web console. This might have been something I tried adding previously via vCenter, but it hung and locked up and resulted in some inconsistency on the system. You can remove the mount using the esxcli utility:
[root@server:~] df
Filesystem Bytes Used Available Use% Mounted on
NFS41 4403187810304 116839940096 4286347870208 3% /vmfs/volumes/bnas
[root@server:~] esxcli storage nfs41 list
Volume Name Host(s) Share Accessible Mounted Read-Only Security isPE Hardware Acceleration
----------- --------- ----------------- ---------- ------- --------- -------- ----- ---------------------
bnas 10.1.1.10 /nas/downloads/OS true true false AUTH_SYS false Not Supported
[root@server:~] esxcli storage nfs41 remove -v bnas
Guest CentOS No Keyboard
On CentOS 7 running under ESXi 6.5, when the graphical interface starts, the keyboard stops responding.
Looking at the X logs at /var/log/Xorg.0.log, you can see that certain devices are being ignored.
[ 4086.057] (**) Power Button: Applying InputClass "system-keyboard"
[ 4086.057] (II) No input driver specified, ignoring this device.
[ 4086.057] (II) This device may have been added with another device file.
[ 4086.058] (II) config/udev: Adding input device AT Translated Set 2 keyboard (/dev/input/event1)
[ 4086.058] (**) AT Translated Set 2 keyboard: Applying InputClass "system-keyboard"
[ 4086.058] (II) No input driver specified, ignoring this device.
[ 4086.058] (II) This device may have been added with another device file.
[ 4086.059] (II) config/udev: Adding input device VirtualPS/2 VMware VMMouse (/dev/input/event2)
[ 4086.059] (II) No input driver specified, ignoring this device.
[ 4086.059] (II) This device may have been added with another device file.
[ 4086.059] (II) config/udev: Adding input device VirtualPS/2 VMware VMMouse (/dev/input/js0)
[ 4086.059] (II) No input driver specified, ignoring this device.
[ 4086.059] (II) This device may have been added with another device file.
[ 4086.060] (II) config/udev: Adding input device VirtualPS/2 VMware VMMouse (/dev/input/mouse0)
[ 4086.060] (II) No input driver specified, ignoring this device.
[ 4086.060] (II) This device may have been added with another device file.
[ 4086.061] (II) config/udev: Adding input device VirtualPS/2 VMware VMMouse (/dev/input/event3)
[ 4086.061] (II) No input driver specified, ignoring this device.
[ 4086.061] (II) This device may have been added with another device file.
[ 4086.061] (II) config/udev: Adding input device VirtualPS/2 VMware VMMouse (/dev/input/mouse1)
[ 4086.062] (II) No input driver specified, ignoring this device.
[ 4086.062] (II) This device may have been added with another device file.
[ 4086.062] (II) config/udev: Adding input device PC Speaker (/dev/input/event4)
[ 4086.063] (II) No input driver specified, ignoring this device.
[ 4086.063] (II) This device may have been added with another device file.
To fix this, ensure that the xorg-x11-drv-vmware and xorg-x11-drv-evdev packages are installed.