To update your VCSA follow the steps below. The pictures maybe show different version numbers, but I’ve tested it with the listed versions.

 

Preparation:

  • Check all dependencies! Go to VMware Product Interoperability Matrices and check for example the Interoperability of VMware NSX and vCenter. Maybe you need one interim step for your update/upgrade.

Installation:

If your appliance don’t have a connection to the internet you will have to download the FullPatch from VMware.

  • Select VC and 6.5.0
  • Select the FP file for the appliance (example)
    • VCSA 6.5 Update 1e (VMware-vCenter-Server-Appliance-6.5.0.14000-7515524-patch-FP.iso)
  • Mount the ISO to you vCenter Server Appliance
  • Select Check CDROM instead of Repository in my guide.

With internet connection follow these few steps

  • Login to the appliance management (VAMI) https://your.vcenter.appliance:5480
  • Go to Update and click on Check Updates and then Check Repository (or CDROM for those who install from ISO)
  • After that the Appliance should show you the new update. Click on Install Update and then Install All Updates
  • Accept the License Agreement and click Install
  • [optional] Join or leave the CEIP (Customer Experience Improvement Program) and click on Install
  • After that the update will run several minutes.
  • The last step you have to do is to reboot the appliance
  • Go to the Summary Tab and click on Reboot

  • After initialization the vCenter Server appliance is back online and ready for work
  • If you have select that root password doesn’t expire you have to set this again. Every update activates the expiration of root.
    UPDATE: With vCenter Server Update 1d / Update 1e / Update 1f the root expiration was still disabled after the update.
    Maybe VMware now check the setting and keeps it. But I would recommend to check it after every update