How to Update to vSphere and ESXi to Version 7.0.3U3f Build Number 20036589

The purpose of this blog post is to provide the guidance and the steps needed to update my ESXi and vSphere 7 environments to version 7.0.3U3f, build number 20036589. Release notes for VMware ESXi 7.0 Update 3f can be found here. Below is a screenshot of my current environment (Update 3e, build version 19898904) prior to Update 3f. Previous build numbers can be found here.

First, I updated my VCSA environment from version 7.0.3.00600 to 7.0.3.00700

The Stage and Install Update process kicks off.

The Installation progress proceeds once the above has been cleared.

If you have iDRAC configured on your server, you can check the status of the upgrade via the Virtual Console Preview.

iDRAC

Once the update is complete, it should look like the following.

I decided to use the ESXCLI command method to proceed with the ESXI Host update and there is no better resource to act as a guide than Paul Braren‘s blog post found here.

In order to use the command provided by Paul, the first step is to enable SSH on the host. Log into your ESXi host interface, select the ESXi Host, followed by Actions, Services, and Enable Secure Shell (SSH).

SSH

Next, SSH into the ESXi Host (I use Putty) and then log in using your Root credentials.

SSH Session

I included the command found in the screenshot below but since my Dell PowerEdge R720 server is not found on the VMware Compatibility List, it triggered a No Hardware Warning alert.

Command: esxcli software profile update -p ESXi-7.0U3f-20036589-standard -d https://hostupdate.vmware.com/software/VUM/PRODUCTION/main/vmw-depot-index.xml

Putty Session

No Hardware Warning

In order to get around this alert, you’ll need to add –no-hardware-warning to the end of the command.

Command: esxcli software profile update -p ESXi-7.0U3f-20036589-standard -d https://hostupdate.vmware.com/software/VUM/PRODUCTION/main/vmw-depot-index.xml –no-hardware-warning

Add –no-hardware-warning

Update Process

Once the command has been successfully applied, the update process begins and you’ll then be prompted to reboot your ESXi host. I was able to keep track of the reboot process using my idrac session.

iDRAC

Once the ESXi host is up and running, you’ll be able to confirm the update is complete.

ESXi 7.0 Update 3f Build 20036589