Upgrading to VMware vSphere using the vSphere Host Update Utility

There are three ways in which to upgrade to VMware vSphere, these are

1. VMware Update Manager


2. vSphere Host Update Utility 4.0, and


3. a clean install of vSphere

This post goes through the upgrade process using the vSphere Host Update Utility 4.0. A 10 minute video is available here:

The vSphere Host Update Utility 4.0 is an application that is installed as part of the vSphere vCenter installation package.

1. To start the upgrade process, launch the vSphere Host Update Utility.
2. The vSphere Host Update Utility will request confirmation to connect to the VMware patch repository.
3. Add the host to the update utility by clicking on Host | Add Host.
4. Type in the FQDN or IP address of the host you wish to upgrade then click on Add.
5. Now click on the Upgrade button to start the upgrade wizard.
6. Next browse to the location of your vSphere ISO file then click on Next.
7. Read and accept the license agreement to continue.
8. Enter the root credentials then press Next.
9. The Host compatibility check will perform some checks and will allow the upgrade to continue if the host meets the criteria.
10. Next select a local datastore (recommended) to store the disk file for the Console OS and also select the disk size.
11. Leave all other settings on default and finish the Wizard
12. Once complete, reconnect the host in vCenter to install the new vCenter Agent.