The list of my articles with “Update vCenter Appliance” is growing :)

This article explains the update to version 6.0.0 U2 (6.0.0.20000) of the VMware vCenter Server Appliance.

In my older articles I described the updates for earlier versions

  • http://blog.ganser.com/975 Update from the first version of vCenter Server Appliance 6 to the 6.0.0 U1.
    The update needs to connect an ISO image and CLI commands to be installed.
  • http://blog.ganser.com/1165 Update from version 6.0.0 U1 to 6.0.0 U1b.
    In this update was an error where the installation stucks at 70%, but in fact the update was complete. Only a manual reboot was necessary.

I prefer the update via Webinterface, but do also watch the progress with the console.

Update steps:

  • Read the Release Notes at pubs.vmware.com
  • I always deactivate HA in my cluster and set DRS to partial automated. This is not a must do.
  • Take a snapshot of your vCSA.
  • If your vCSA has no internet access go to VMware Product Patches and download the
    VMware-vCenter-Server-Appliance-6.0.0.20000-3634791-patch-FP.iso
    VC_update_6u2000000

    With internet access your vCSA could download the patch directly
  • Got to the Webinterface go to https://YOURVCSA.domain.local:5480
    Login: root
    Password: password from your vCSA installation
    VC_update_6u2000003
  • Select Update from the left and Check Update on the upper right
    Now you have to choose Check URL or Check CDROM (connect the ISO before! Use a Datastore which is reachable from the ESXi)
    VC_update_6u2000004
  • After one moment the available update is listed. Now choose Install all updates and accept the EULA
    VC_update_6u2000005
    VC_update_6u1_6u1b000005
  • The update takes a while.
    The WebClient or the vSphere Client will fail after minutes, because vCSA processes will stop. After the update you have to reboot the vCSA.
    VC_update_6u2000006

  • In the last update the update stucks at 70%. If this happens check the update log /var/log/vmware/applmgmt/software-packages.log If one of the lines is “DEBUG:task_manager:UpdateTask: status=completed, percent=100 … reboot is required” the Update is complete, but reboot could not be initiated. Let’s do it for him :) VC_update_6u1_6u1b000010
    VC_update_6u1_6u1b000009
    VC_update_6u1_6u1b000011

  • If the update runs normal (this was my result for three updates of vCSA) you must inintiate the reboot.
    VC_update_6u2000007
  • After the reboot the vCSA has a new version 6.0.0.20000
    VC_update_6u2000009
    VC_update_6u2000010