New Patches Available for ESX 3.5 / 3i and ESX 3.01 / 3.02 - June 3, 2008

Posted on June 5th, 2008 in esx, esx 3i, news, patch, vmware by Rich

New Patches have been released for ESX 3.5 / 3i, ESX 3.02, and ESX 3.01. Information from the email notifications I received are copied in this post. Looks like monthly patching has become a reality for VMware. That’s the ultimate proof of success, I guess. If it’s a popular product the chances of it being exploited are increased exponentially. Make sure your Update Manager server is working properly …..

ESX Server 3.5 / 3i - New Patches Available - Release Date: 04/30/08

Posted on May 4th, 2008 in esx 3i, esx3.5, patch by Rich

I Received this patch notification email from VMware on 5/2/08.

To update your subscription, please visit VMware Patch/Maintenance Alerts Subscriptions [http://support.vmware.com/selfsupport/subscription/]

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Subject: ESX Server 3.5 / 3i - New Patches Available
Release Date: 04/30/08
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New patches are available for ESX Server 3.5/3i.

Please follow the instructions on the appropriate patch download page.

Remembering Daylight Savings

Posted on March 9th, 2008 in blogs, esx, how to, patch, vi3, vmetc.com by Rich

Anybody remember the buzz about Daylight Savings in 2007? Hopefully nobody will have issues this year, but in case someone needs it or just wants to reminisce here are some links from last year:

ESX Server and 2007 daylight savings - VMTN

Here is VMware’s KB on the subject

VMware’s KB article lists the ESX versions that comply with the new DST:

ESX patches released - 03/06/08

Posted on March 7th, 2008 in esx, home, news, patch, vmware by Rich

New ESX 3.0.1 /3.0.2 patches released on 03/06/08. Here’s the email notification I received:

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Subject: ESX Server 3.0.1 / 3.0.2 - New Patches Available
Release Date: 03/06/08
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New patches are available for ESX Server 3.0.1 and ESX Server 3.0.2. Please follow the instructions on the

ESX 3.5 4 socket host based license patch

Posted on January 25th, 2008 in esx, esx3.5, patch by Rich

Here’s another upgrade to ESX 3.5 issue reported to me by Mohammad, a UK VMware professional and VM /ETC reader. This issue is specific to ESX hosts that have 4 or more CPU sockets and are using a host based license. VMware has now released a patch to resolve this issue - http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1003214

From our email conversation:

Mohammad:

Just a quick question on ESX 3.5 note.. Have you come across using 4x CPU (quad core, so 16cores total) host-based license with ESX 3.5 yet? One of my customers got an issue with that and VMware’s response was that they need a patch to fix the issue which sounds little strange.

Me:

I have not come across this yet. Just so I understand, your customer has a 4 physical socket ESX server that is also quad core and ESX host based licensing won’t work? Meaning what, that they have at least a 4 cpu license but ESX can’t read it correctly on this particular platform? It was not a problem in ESX 3.0.2 or earlier?

Mohammad:

Yes thats right, 4 sockets, 4 CPUs and all quad core, ESX 3.5, hostbased lic. On Vi Client, when pointing to lic file, ESX shows licensed, but when clicking on ESX edition to select lic type starter or standard, clicking on standard and OK, still shows ESX unlicensed. Lic file is correct. Apparantly VMware has just said there this is an issue (ESX 3.5 with 4 or more CPUs, host-based lic) which they will fix in patch release..

ESX 3.0.1 VMs reboot when adding host to VC 2.5

Posted on January 22nd, 2008 in esx3.5, how to, patch, vc2.5, vmetc.com, vmware by Rich

Last week I was helping a client upgrade to VI 3.5 and experienced some unexpected VM reboots. Unfortunately I did not discover the reason it happened until after the upgrade. I was reading blog.scottlowe.com when I found the post ESX Server 3.0.1 Patch Needed for VC 2.5. From the post:

According to this VMware KB document, any ESX Server running version 3.0.1 should have patch ESX-7557441 installed before VirtualCenter is upgraded to version 2.5. If this patch is not installed,

Update and Auto Patch ESX

Posted on December 21st, 2007 in esx, how to, optimus solutions, patch, vmware by Rich

Even though VI 3.5 is now generally available you may not be ready to upgrade from version 3 just yet. You should, however, make sure all patches and updates are applied to your VI3 infrastructure. This post explains the upgrading and patching methods I have standardized on and provides some tips for avoiding common issues like HA agent configuration and auto applying numerous ESX patches. All scripts and files referenced are linked at the bottom of this post.

Prepare

Preparing for the upgrade and patching is critical to minimizing what can go wrong.

Upgrade Virtual Center