Updating VMware Tools in vSphere 8

The purpose of this blog post is to provide the guidance and the steps needed to update VMware Tools in my vSphere 8 environment. Release notes for VMware Tools v12.1.5 can be found here, and below is a screenshot of my current environment.

The goal is to share how to update VMware Tools for each ESXi Host using vSphere Lifecycle Manager. To begin, please log into your vSphere environment and then navigate to vSphere Lifecycle Manager.

Next, select Components and then filter the Name column and search for Tools. You’ll notice Async Releases for previous versions. At this time, we’re going to add v12.1.5 (build number 20735119), which is the most recent release as of this post.

At this time, you’ll need to download the most recent version from Customer Connect and search for VMware Tools Download. On the following page, select the box for Downloads on the left-hand side and then select the appropriate version (VMware Tools 12.1.5 in this example). When prompted to select a download file, please select VMware Tools Offline VIB Bundle.

Once the file has been downloaded successfully, you can now proceed with the process of Importing it. Under Actions, select Import Updates, followed by Browse, then navigate to the location of the file that was previously downloaded, and then followed by clicking Import.

Once the file has been successfully imported, it will be displayed under Components.

Now will need to create a Baseline and then attach it to your ESXi Hosts. To do so, select Baselines, New, and then Baseline.

You’ll then be prompted to provide the new Baseline a name, then select Patch, followed by Next.

Un-check the option to Automatically Update this Baseline and then select Next.

Disable the option to Show Only Rollup Updates, filter the Name column and search for the name you assigned (in this example, tools 12.1.5)

Select the baseline that was created, followed by Next.

And then Finish.

Now we’ll need to apply it to my Cluster. Select Inventory, select your Cluster, followed by Updates. Select Attach, Attach Baseline or Baseline Group, select the new Baseline, Next and then Finish

If the status of the new baseline is Non-Compliant or Unknown, please follow the steps below to correct it so it appears as Compliant. Select the Baseline Update and then Remediate. Once this is complete, the status should change to Compliant.

This concludes this blog post. If I have missed anything or if you have any suggestions, please let me know.

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