Patching ESXi7 on ARM

[k5map]

All of my RPi4 are running ESXi7.0.0... is it possible to install patches to my RPi hosts?  If so, how?

[Cyprien Laplace]

You can now update your RPi4 with ESXi 8.0U3b!

download the depot or iso at https://community.broadcom.com/flings/home
also be sure to check the documentation on how to migrate the VM config file for that new version.

[k5map]

Cyprien,

I clicked on the link in your post and it took me to the main page but I don't see a link or information on how to upgrade from v7 to v8.  Can you provide more information?

[Cyprien Laplace]

You can use the esxcli command from the post at https://community.broadcom.com/vmware-cloud-foundation/viewdocument/esxi-arm-fling-21-refresh?CommunityKey=b75c6afd-0c0c-4f39-89a4-018ed3a892d3&tab=librarydocuments

Be sure to read the "Upgrading from Fling v1" paragraph from the ESXi-Arm Fling Doc-20241030.pdf (in the documentation zip).

Cyprien

[k5map]

Much thanks for the link, it helped A LOT.  

After reading the PDF, am I correct in prior to staring the upgrade, I shut down all of the VM's; update the VMX file as stated in the PDF.  Then I can run the "esxcli software profile update..." command to upgrade from v7 to v8?

[Cyprien Laplace]

There isn't really an order between shutting down the VMs + updating the vmx config files and executing the command. The new system will be installed, but it won't force you to reboot immediately.

[k5map]

Ok, understood... after reading the PDF file and link you've provided, I'm unclear about the actual esxcli command.  In the link you provided, it has this command:  esxcli software profile update -d /vmfs/volumes/datastore1/VMware-ESXi-8.0U3c-24449057-depot.zip -p ESXi-8.0U3c-24449057-standard

But when I viewed the Flings website, it has this file:  ESXi-Arm-Offline-Depot-2_1-dl.zip

Also, when I open the zip file, I do not see any file named:  ESXi-8.0U3c-24449057-standard

I expect I change the zip file name in the example command to match the file I downloaded, but unclear what I use for the -p option

[Cyprien Laplace]

Hum.. VMware-ESXi-8.0U3c-24449057-depot.zip is the original name of the zip file before it is pushed to the fling site. So yes you can just use ESXi-Arm-Offline-Depot-2_1-dl.zip instead.

ESXi-8.0U3c-24449057-standard is a metadata, and is not changed.

I hope it'll all work well!

[k5map]

Cyprien,

I successfully upgraded to ESXi8 without any issues... cannot thank you enough for your help.  After the upgrade, I noticed my license is only good until July.  On ESXi7, I was able to obtain a free license but when I go to that link it no longer works.  Do you know of a link or process whereby I can obtain a license for my ESXi8 ARM?

[Cyprien Laplace]

Hi, unfortunately Broadcom has ended the free vSphere Hypervisor license availability.

https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article/345098/end-of-general-availability-of-the-free.html

A good alternative was the yearly license from VMUG Advantage, but this is changing too. "Coming March 2025".

https://www.vmug.com/membership/vmug-advantage-membership/

[k5map]

WOW... wish I had known this before upgrading as I would have stayed on my current free ESXi 7.

Guess I'll wait until March to evaluate the cost of a license from VMUG or switch to the free Microsoft HyperV