VM Tools - how does a VM check its version?

[stuarty18742011]

Hello,  could someone tell us how a VM knows if his tools are current?

We have redirected our productlocker to a Shared Location, and updated (most of our VM Tools) from that location.

Problem seems to be that some of the VMs have not been updated yet but they are also showing current (even though we know they are not).

Is there a file that the VM checks .. or the host checks to know what the "latest version" is?

TIA

[TheBobkin]

Hello TIA,

I think it just checks vs the tools version available for the host build that the VM is registered on:

"Current

Tools version matches with the Tools available with ESXi. Each ESXi has a version of Tools that comes with it. See this for the list. This is the ideal scenario."

http://virtual-red-dot.info/keeping-vmware-tools-current/

ESXi version/build vs Tools versions:

http://www.vbrain.info/2016/03/31/vmware-tools-part-2-versions-changes/

Bob

[stuarty18742011]

Thanks Bob.

So even though we redirect the productlocker,  it still only checks the version local to the ESXi version that is installed?

[TheBobkin]

Hello TIA,

I don't think changing the default location for installing Tools from would change what the hosts see as 'baseline' for Tools version.

As far as the host knows, based on its build version (e.g. ESXi 6.5 U1 - 5969303) the most current version of VMware Tools at that time is 'Current' (so Tools version 10.1.7 for 6.5 U1). There are however more current versions of Tools available, e.g. a 6.5P02 host would only show 'current' for Tools version 10.1.15  .

https://packages.vmware.com/tools/versions

Bob

[daphnissov]

In versions prior to vSphere 6.5, ESXi only checked the target tools version at power on or migration. In 6.5, that behavior changed and the check is performed every 5 minutes instead. This change was primarily to facilitate the out-of-band updates that are now possible with VMware Tools packages in that they can be upgrade on ESXi hosts outside of ESXi patches.