vSphere 7 Foundations 6.2 - Manage and Maintain vSphere Hosts - Configure vSphere Lifecycle Manager

In the Getting Started module, we deployed 2 vSphere Hosts. But we haven't paid them any attention since. At the end of this lecture, you'll be able to use vSphere Lifecycle Manager to keep your hosts up to date, and you'll be able to use Host Profiles to ensure that they have a consistent configuration. Glossary for Module 6 VMware Lifecycle Manager A component of the vCentre Server Appliance that is used to install patches and upgrades to VMware hosts. Previously known as vSphere Update Manager. Baseline A lifecycle manager configuration that specifies a set of patches that should be installed on a host. Can be dynamic, where the baseline is automatically updated with the latest patches based on a configurable criteria, such as severity, or static, where patches are selected manually and are not automatically added. Update/Patch An update to the currently running version to fix an issue. Upgrade An upgrade to the major version of the host - e.g. Version 6.7 to 7.0, or 6.5 to 6.7. Extension A package that adds functionality, such as tools for managing host hardware or an agent for a VM backup tool. Depot A bundle of updates delivered together in a ZIP file with a manifest. Can be imported to Lifecycle Manager or directly installed on the host using the command line. Host Profile A set of configurations to be applied to multiple hosts, to maintain consistency and reduce workload in the event of future changes. Host Customisations An additional set of configurations specific to each host, for example IP addresses, that overrides the Host Profile Module Summary Host management, and in particular updates, is something that is overlooked in so many environments. A key element to remember is how Lifecycle Manager uses DRS to automate remediation on a number of hosts, placing each host in to maintenance mode and allowing DRS to move the VMs around. Without DRS, you need to manually move the VMs to update each host. References https://blogs.vmware.com/vsphere/2020/04/vsphere-7-patching-lifecycle-management.html https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-vSphere/7.0/com.vmware.vsphere-lifecycle-manager.doc/GUID-74295A37-E8BB-4EB9-BFBA-47B78F0C570D.html https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-vSphere/7.0/vsphere-esxi-vcenter-server-70-host-profiles-guide.pdf