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Update VMware vCenter to Version 8.0 Update 3c using VAMI

It’s well known that it’s always best to keep up to date on vCenter patches. With that said, the most current vCenter 8.0 Update 3c resolves some critical CVE’s: VMware vCenter Server updates address heap-overflow and privilege escalation vulnerabilities (CVE-2024-38812, CVE-2024-38813)

Also, for reference, here’s the link to the Build numbers and versions of VMware vCenter Server.

I’m currently on v8.0 Update 3a (8.0.3.00100), so it’s time for me to update…here’s how I updated my vCenter (VCSA) to v8.0 Update 3c via VAMI.

Getting started, first I’ll verify I have a good file based vCenter backup, and I’ll go ahead and perform a manual backup as well. If there’s a VM image based backup that can be done, now would be a good time to run and/or verify that as well.

From VAMI, I can see a good and complete backup from my autoamated daily backup configuration.

From here, to be sure I have a current file-based backup, I’ll also run a manual backup – on the right, click on “Backup Now”.

This obviously will run a manual, on-demand, backup and I can easily select the check box to use the already configured backup location, user name etc.

Click Start, and the manual backup will run.

Once completed, I’ll begin staging the update, preparing for the install.

Go to Update, Check Updates, Check CD-ROM and URL. vCenter will go out to the VMware repo and get the most current version information.

Notice, I have two updates available, and I will choose the 8.0.3.0000, as the vCenter update is cumulative and will include all previous updates (nice!!).

For now, I’m going to stage the update, which allows me to download the update and install it at a later time.

Select the radio button for the 8.0.3.00300 version, and then click on “Stage Only”

The download will begin to download to a temporary location on the VCSA.

When completed, I’ll run the pre-update checks. This is recommended to run, and will alert of any potential issues.

Click on “View Messages” to see what’s the warning(s) are.

Two warnings here…nothing concerning – I have a backup that was done 5+ hours ago, and I have some baselines that will not be copied over, which is fine.

At this point, the update is staged and I can install at any time (typically I don’t wait more than a few hours) simply by clicking “Install”. An estimated 33 minutes of downtime is all it should take, so I’ll apply this during the day when I have time.

Accept the EULA, click Next.

Pre-checks will run (again…) and I am aware, so I will click “Ignore and Continue”.

Since I have good backups of my vCenter server, I’ll check the box, then click “Finish” to apply the update.

Messages of Installation in Progress will then show the progress, then it’s back to the VAMI login screen…tyring to login will give the error “Exception in invoking authentication handle 502 Service Unavailable”.

Just wait and give it some time to complete the update, and the login screen will come back to normal. The estimated time for my update is 33 minutes, so I’ll go make some coffee and watch a video on YT while it updates…

When the update is complete, login to VAMI and verify all is updated!

And that’s all for this one! If you learned something or I helped you out in some way, please make a comment and let me know. Thanks!

2 responses to “Update VMware vCenter to Version 8.0 Update 3c using VAMI”

  1. Nisar Ahmad Avatar

    Thank you for sharing your knowledge on Updating VMware vCenter to 8.0 Update 3c using VAMI. I’ll try it in my homelab.

    1. mikewire Avatar

      You bet, and best wishes when doing the update!

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