host build version within vcenter appliance

a) yes

b) yes

see my EE Articles

Part 1: HOW TO: Install and Configure VMware vSphere Hypervisor 5.1 (ESXi 5.1)

Part 2: HOW TO: Connect to the VMware vSphere Hypervisor 5.1 (ESXi 5.1) using the vSphere Client

HOW TO: Upgrade from VMware vSphere Hypervisor ESXi 5.1 to VMware vSphere Hypervisor ESXi 5.5 for FREE

is it not just listed anywhere in the inventory views...

hi Abhilash Hb

are you using the web client in the above screenshot?

and how about getting the version for the hosts?

No its a screenshot of vcenter appliance admin portal which can be reached at http://vcenter-appliabce-ip:5480/

For hosts you will have to login into the vSphere client and check.

where would you check within the vsphere client, a screenshot would be great.

Here's a screenshot to check the host version in vsphere client

Select Help > About


this shows vSphere Client version, and the Version of vSphere vCenter Server.

and you can tell from that build number if its behind on security patches or not? or isnt it that simple?

@Andrew, Again. wrong screenshot.
I should stop doing this right?

Yes with every patch, the build number changes.
And the ISO also will say ESXi x.x patch xx

it shows the version of the vCenter Server (appliance).

The question was to see it "within the appliance".
And i will stop. Sorry.

so if I provided a build number, you could provide a rough guide on just how out of date the system is in terms of patches?

Yes, no problems, post the build number.

You don't have to come to us for it at all.
Check this KB and see which patch you need and you are missing
http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=1014508

I will first thing tommorow.

How does the numerical sequence work though..... say for arguments if you'd applied some of the latest patches, but missed a batch of patches from say 6 months ago. How can you see just from a number that theres some recent patches have indeed been applied but there was a gap 6 months previously where many werent and still havent been applied.

The patches always include the previous ones. If you did not apply patch 1 and you went to patch 3 its totally fine.
Just see the list i gave you. Do not get confused.
Its not like Vmware releases a patch everyday. If you follow the community or RSS feeds or blogs you will definitely know.
Check out for such updates on my blog

Edited: Link Removed to Personal Blog

Andrew Hancock
VMware Zone Advisor

Many Thanks

Sure. No issues. Did not know that policy.
And i get enough traffic. It was to help others. Thanks anyway.

I got it.
I understand.