I just received a very useful email on a VMware internal mailing list and thought I would share it with you guys.
Here’s the question:
I want to update ESXi U3 to U4. My ESXi contains specific vendor modules for monitoring. (HP for instance) When I do the updates will these modules be removed or will they be upgraded?
And the answer:
Source article, page 10 : http://www.vmware.com/files/pdf/ESXi_management.pdf
The core hypervisor code also can contain custom code provided by server vendors (OEMs) that provides additional functionality, such as hardware monitoring and support information. These customizations would be present, for example, if ESXi had been obtained in embedded form from the server manufacturer or if a custom version of ESXi was installed onto the hard drive. Any update to an existing ESXi installation automatically incorporates the proper update to this custom code. The process is described in greater detail in the following section.
In a doc that HP provides to its customers on updating ESXi, it states that the HP CIM providers are updated as well, provided they are installed before the Update. Does that mean that the Update that VUM pulls from our site includes newest versions of all CIM providers and the installer just upgrades any existing?
This is correct. VUM pulls a bundle with the latest customizations from all OEMs and will deploy that customization based on what is already on the user’s machine. As HP has stated, if the customer has a standard, VMware image, he will continue to get that image. However, if a customer has deployed a customized (by Dell, HP, IBM, etc.) image, then the update will also include any customization updates from the OEM. There is no additional dependence from the OEM.
Thanks Mr. Tom Vandenbosch. (My fav. inside SE – Benelux ;-))
difenza says
But this is also true if I update ESXi with VIU?
Also for the patches monthly released?
Regards
vincentvlieghe says
Hey Duncan, that’s a coincidence. That is a question I got from a customer during a training. I contacted VMware Benelux (Stefaan van hoornick) for the answer. Guess that figures 😉 Thanks for the answer VMware, you made the customer happy! And thanks for making this public Duncan!
Virtrix
alanvanwyk says
I have the CIM providers functioning on my 3i u4 boxes, but as I have configured these diskless (all storage is hosted on NFS Filers), I get warning status returned for my Storage controllers.
Basically, if yI have a controller installed and no disks attached, the HP CIM returns ‘warning’ Any idea if there is a way to suppress the storage alerts in VC, or possibly to edit what is reported by the CIM providers? I’d imagine it is just a config file somewhere?
JamesF says
Hi Duncan,
My understanding of the new ESXi was that we could install (and remove) the CIM agents from a system and this seems reinforced by your post… but how? There’s the ability to remove CIM agents from the ESXi direct console, but how do we install them on existing systems?
I’ve got some IBM systems that were installed using VMware media before IBM got their act together and released their version and I’d love to update them now.
James