Upgrading VMware ESXi Host using Command Line (ESXCLI)

This article describes how to manually install/upgrade a VMware ESXi host from the command line using the esxcli tool. There are two ways, you can upgrade host either "Online mode" or "Offline mode", here we will be using "Offline mode".

Current ESXi version: VMware ESXi, 8.0.2, 22380479

Target ESXi version: VMware ESXi, 8.0.3, 24022510

Current ESXi host version verification before upgrade:

If you want to find out the installation (update) date of the ESXi image, can use the command

esxcli software vib list | grep 'Install\|esx-base'

Lets Now Start the ESXi Host Upgrade Pre-requisites & CLI upgrade using "Offline Mode":

1. Download the offline ESXi bundle ZIP file, and upload it to Datastore

   

2. Put the host into maintenance mode

3. List the profiles available in the image file

   
   

   esxcli software sources profile list --depot /vmfs/volumes/671fbe6e-1fb53a43-5eb1-005056012700/VMware-ESXi-8.0U3-24022510-depot.zip

   

4. Run the CLI to perform ESXi host upgrade now

   Upon succesful upgrade message that you see in CLI, a reboot will be required. Perform a reboot

   
   

   esxcli software profile update --depot /vmfs/volumes/671fbe6e-1fb53a43-5eb1-005056012700/VMware-ESXi-8.0U3-24022510-depot.zip --profile ESXi-8.0U3-24022510-standard

Verification post ESXi Host upgrade:

CLI way verification:

esxcli software vib list | grep 'Install\|esx-base'

vCenter UI verification:

With this, you've now successfully upgraded the ESXi host, remove this from maintenancem mode back to cluster for operation use.

Further Reference guide: Upgrade or Update a Host with Image Profiles