Pau Lo
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update manager on appliance
does update manager come as part of the vcenter package? If you are operating vcenter appliance as opposed vcenter server for windows, will vum be part/preinstalled part of the appliance? Or is there an additional tool to apply updates for hosts managed by vcenter appliance, different from the vum used within center server for windows?
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ASKER
is there no other way of applying patches to hosts, without update manager?
also, is there no other way to check for missing patches on hosts, without update manager?
finally, is it possible to have a vmware infrastructure without update manager, installed anywhere? or is it mandatory?
also, is there no other way to check for missing patches on hosts, without update manager?
finally, is it possible to have a vmware infrastructure without update manager, installed anywhere? or is it mandatory?
SOLUTION
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is there no other way of applying patches to hosts, without update manager?
yes, manually!
also, is there no other way to check for missing patches on hosts, without update manager?
yes, manually!
finally, is it possible to have a vmware infrastructure without update manager, installed anywhere? or is it mandatory?
Yes, you do not need it, it has to be install on Windows.
ASKER
can you elaborate how you can apply patches without vum, for someone knew to vcenter.
ASKER
when you say, "yes manually", specific to the missing patches, can you give some tips as to how "manally" get a list of missing patches?
You can install the patches using command line.Refer this below KB for the same
http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=2008939
http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=2008939
@Andrew i disagree that update manager is a mandate. Its a wrong statement.
ASKER
However for each version, i.e. 5.1. there are common security updates released, for that version. Can these also be applied manually? Can you also get a list of those that are missing, manually? can you tell just from a build number if security patches are missing?
@Abhilash Hb I never said it was!
I was answering this question.
is it possible to have a vmware infrastructure without update manager, - YES!
you do not need it, it has to be install on Windows.!
finally, is it possible to have a vmware infrastructure without update manager, installed anywhere? or is it mandatory?
I was answering this question.
is it possible to have a vmware infrastructure without update manager, - YES!
you do not need it, it has to be install on Windows.!
I apologize i got confused with the yes.
ASKER
But in summary its a risk to not have update manager installed as you havent got accurate oversight of the patch status of your hosts, without doing complex manual methods which arent management freindly.
If you do it manually you will not get a list of missing updates. You will have to manually download them to the host and install them.
If you use the update manager then you can create a baseline of all newer updates and run it against the hosts to check for missing patches.
Yes that's the only risk.
If you use the update manager then you can create a baseline of all newer updates and run it against the hosts to check for missing patches.
Yes that's the only risk.
You can sign up to RSS feeds, to find out when new VMware versions of software and patches appear.
You can then decide, if these are required by your organisation.
You can then decide, if these are required by your organisation.
ASKER
is it possible to purchase update manager as a standalone product, and install it on its own dedicated vm? or does it need to be installed/tied up to a vcenter instance?
No, you cannot purchase as a standalone product.
Update Manager is part of VMware vSphere vCenter Server package.
So if you purchase VMware vSphere vCenter Server, you are entitled to use Update Manager.
It can be installed on any Windows Server, Physical or Virtual.
Update Manager is part of VMware vSphere vCenter Server package.
So if you purchase VMware vSphere vCenter Server, you are entitled to use Update Manager.
It can be installed on any Windows Server, Physical or Virtual.
ASKER
is there any reason why an organisation would chose the vcenter appliance as opposed to vcenter server? is there a difference in cost? or pros and cons for each?
You can use either vSphere VMware vCenter Server for Windows or the vCenter appliance, there is no difference in cost, you license for vSphere VMware vCenter Server works with both.
Most select the appliance, because it's quick to deploy, does not require a virtual server, and does not require a Windows License, or additional license for SQL Server, if you intend to use an external database.
Organisations decide, based on Support, do you have good Linux Administration Skills, or Good Windows SQL Skills.
The appliance does not support Linked Mode (vCenter Server), and VMware suggest the appliance is only good for small deployments of VMware vSphere, although this specification keeps changing (increasing).
Update Manager cannot be installed on vCenter Appliance, which requires a Windows Server, and most use the vCenter Server for Windows VM.
see here for vCenter Appliance 5.5
http://www.yellow-bricks.com/2013/08/26/vsphere-5-5-nuggets-vcenter-server-appliance-limitations-lifted/
Most select the appliance, because it's quick to deploy, does not require a virtual server, and does not require a Windows License, or additional license for SQL Server, if you intend to use an external database.
Organisations decide, based on Support, do you have good Linux Administration Skills, or Good Windows SQL Skills.
The appliance does not support Linked Mode (vCenter Server), and VMware suggest the appliance is only good for small deployments of VMware vSphere, although this specification keeps changing (increasing).
Update Manager cannot be installed on vCenter Appliance, which requires a Windows Server, and most use the vCenter Server for Windows VM.
see here for vCenter Appliance 5.5
http://www.yellow-bricks.com/2013/08/26/vsphere-5-5-nuggets-vcenter-server-appliance-limitations-lifted/
ASKER
noticed this, quite worrying. I bet the hosts arent being patched at all then. is there any other way to check patch status of your hosts without VUM, as that was a nice management freindly report way of identifying missing patches. how can you even apply patches to hosts without VUM? Is there anyway to tell if they are being patched by other means?