I wanted to update vCenter Server Appliance update 1 (vCenter Appliance 6.7 U1 (6.7.0.20000)) to the most current patch level which at the time of this post is Update 3k.
I navigated to VMware’s patch repository, https://my.vmware.com/group/vmware/patch#search, and selected VC and 6.7.0. I already have the appliance, so I downloaded the Appliance-Patch file as highlighted below.
Once downloaded, I added the .iso file to the VCSA virtual machine’s CD/DVD drive using the VMware Remote Console window. (It’s my personal preference to not add ISO files to datastores as I feel it is a waste of space and unnecessary)
I logged into the VMware Appliance Interface (VAMI), https://fqdn:5480, and chose Update > CHECK UPDATES > Check CD ROM. I was presented with a screen stating, “No applicable update found.” I was a little concerned and thought maybe I added the wrong ISO file, so I double checked.
After a little digging and documentation reading, I found that this upgrade path is not supported. I first have to patch to the base appliance level, in this case vCenter Appliance 6.7.0 update 3, before I can apply the security patch. The following is an excerpt from the document, Patching the vCenter Server Appliance and Platform Services Controller Appliance.
VMware makes patches available on a monthly basis. These patches can only be applied in between major releases of vCenter Server Appliance. For example, patches released for the initial release of vCenter Server Appliance 6.7, are not applicable to vCenter Server Appliance 6.7 Update 1, as any patches previously made available will be included with the Update 1 release.
https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-vSphere/6.7/com.vmware.vcenter.upgrade.doc/GUID-043EF6BD-78F7-412F-837F-CBDF844F850C.html
So…let’s try that again
So now that I have RTFM, I can try again in the correct order. I downloaded the vCenter Appliance Update 3 (VMware-vCenter-Server-Appliance-6.7.0.40000-14367737-patch-FP.iso) ISO from the patches repository and loaded it into the vCenter Server Appliance’s CD ROM. I went back to the VAMI and checked for updates again, this time with a positive result!
To update:
- Click on the STAGE AND INSTALL link above the Available updates table
- Click to check the checkbox labeled, “I accept the terms of the license agreement“
- Click NEXT button
- Click to uncheck the checkbox labeled, “Join the VMware’s Customer Experience Improvement Program (CEIP)” [Note: this is a lab environment, follow your organization’s policy regarding this program]
- Click NEXT button
- Click to check the checkbox labeled, “I have backed up vCenter Server and its associated databases.” [Note: Make sure that you actually do have a backup to be safe]
- Click FINISH button
Ref: Patching the vCenter Server Appliance by Using the Appliance Management Interface (https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-vSphere/6.7/com.vmware.vcenter.upgrade.doc/GUID-E2E359B1-5834-4BFF-AEFE-6CEBFC8CC3D5.html) and subsequently, Install vCenter Server Appliance Patches (https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-vSphere/6.7/com.vmware.vcenter.upgrade.doc/GUID-E5E78149-4AC8-4DD7-BBA8-19CC17711D40.html).
Wait for the server to install the update and show Installation succeeded. Click the Close button.
Depending on how long the process took, you may need to log into the VAMI again. Verify the Version is updated from the previous.
This time you can load up the most recent patch and follow the update procedure again.
At the end, you should have an updated appliance with the most recent patch.
