Queries regarding ESXi build numbers

[habeebth7]

Good Day all..

I have a small queries regarding the ESXi 5.5 build numbers and respective versions.

Per the KB for ESXi host PSOD issue due to E1000.E100e adapters,  http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=2059053  , if we are running ESXi 5.5 Express Patch 3(1746974), we need to downgrade the host to ESXi 5.5 Express Patch 2 and then upgrade to ESXi 5.5 Express Patch 3.

Note: ESXi 5.5 Express Patch 3 which contains the fix for heartbleed has a higher build number than ESXi 5.5 Update 1 but does not contain the fix for this issue.

If you are using ESXi 5.5 Express Patch 3, you need to downgrade to ESXi55Express Patch 2 to get the heartbleed fixes from ESXi 5.5 Update 1. After installing ESXi 5.5 Express patch 2, you can upgrade to ESXi 5.5 Express Patch 3 to take advantage of all the latest updates. Install the Express Patches in this sequence to avoid this issue. For more information, see VMware ESXi 5.5, Patch Release ESXi550-201404020 (2076586).

My query is which one is ESXi55Express Patch 2 ? What is the build number for ESXi55Express Patch 2 ? I don't see that build in VMware KB: Correlating VMware products build numbers to update levels   -  vmware KB 1014508.

So how should i proceed?

ESXi 5.5 Express Patch 3(1746974)---> downgrade to which vrsion(ESXi 5.5 Express Patch 2) ?

Once i am at ESXi 5.5 Express Patch 2, can i upgrade to ESXi 5.5 Express Patch 3(1746974) ?

[vuzzini]

Hello habeebth7,

Could you take a putty to ESXi host, run "vmware -v" and "vmware -l"  and post the output here.

This article may help you Patching ESXi 5.5 for Heartbleed without installing Update 1 | VMware Support Insider - VMware Blogs

[vuzzini]

Else to get rid of all the confusion update your host to VMware ESXi 5.5.0 Update 2.

[habeebth7]

Hi vuzzini,

Thanks a lot for early response.

As you suggested i can update the host to 5.5. update 2 but is not allowed in our environment, we are using VCE vblock and bound to RCM release matrix. I should be at ESXi 5.5 express patch 3(1746974) post the change. This is the reason i got into confusion.

As mentioned in resolution, PSOD issue is fixed in VMware ESXi 5.5, Patch ESXi550-Update01: ESXi 5.5 Complete Update 1 -  build 1623387. So i am thinking of installing 5.5 update 1 build 1623387 and then upgrade host back to 5.5 express patch 3 build 1746974 to be RCM compliant. But the note from below KB confused me.

VMware KB:    VMware ESXi 5.5, Patch Release ESXi550-201404020 

VMware ESXi 5.5, Patch Release ESXi550-201404020 (2076586)  - build 1746974.

Note: After you have patched your ESXi hosts with VMware ESXi 5.5, Patch Release ESXi550-201404020(1746974), you should not upgrade your hosts to ESXi 5.5 Update 1(1623387).

Per above note, ESXi 5.5 Update 1(1623387) is the higher version than Express patch 3(1746974)...??? Overall i am looking for below information..

To resolve PSOD issue:

Currently i am at ESXi 5.5 Express Patch 3(1746974)---> downgrade to which version(ESXi 5.5 Express Patch 2) ?

Once i am at ESXi 5.5 Express Patch 2(?) ---> i should upgrade host to ESXi 5.5 Express Patch 3(1746974) ? 

Who is ESXi 5.5 Express Patch 2 here??

I am assuming the KB VMware KB: VMware ESXi 5.x host experiences a purple diagnostic screen mentioning E1000PollRxRing and E1000DevRx has improper information otherwise.

Sorry for this freaky queries..:(  and thanks in advance.

[habeebth7]

From http://packages.vmware.com/tools/versions i see the corresponding build number for ESXi 5.5 express patch 2 is 1750340. But i don't see this build anywhere available for download.

[habeebth7]

Hi,

I got a response from VMware team as below.

Thanks for your feedback on this issue.  The KB is being updated to reflect that the issue is resolved in ESXi5.5 U2.  The Express patch 2 has been pulled and is no longer available.

Hope the KB will be updated soon...:)

[vuzzini]

Thanks for the update :smileyhappy: