You can configure the Update Manager server to download patches, extensions, and virtual appliance upgrades either from the Internet or from a shared repository. You can also import patches and extensions manually from a ZIP file.

Configuring the Update Manager download source is an optional step.

If your deployment system is connected to the Internet, you can use the default settings and links for downloading upgrades, patches, and extensions to the Update Manager repository. You can also add URL addresses to download virtual appliance upgrades or third-party patches and extensions. Third-party patches and extensions are applicable only to hosts that are running ESXi 5.0 and later.

If your deployment system is not connected to the Internet, you can use a shared repository after downloading the upgrades, patches, and extensions by using Update Manager Download Service (UMDS).

For more information about UMDS, see Installing, Setting Up, and Using Update Manager Download Service.

With Update Manager, you can import both VMware and third-party patches or extensions manually from a ZIP file, also called an offline bundle. Import of offline bundles is supported only for hosts that are running ESXi 5.0 and later. You download the offline bundle ZIP files from the Internet or copy them from a media drive, and save them on a local or a shared network drive. You can import the patches or extensions to the Update Manager patch repository later. You can download offline bundles from the VMware Web site or from the Web sites of third-party vendors.
Note: You can use offline bundles for host patching operations only. You cannot use third-party offline bundles or offline bundles that you generated from custom VIB sets for host upgrade from ESXi 5.5.x and ESXi 6.0.x to ESXi 6.5.

For detailed descriptions of the procedures, see Configuring the Update Manager Download Sources.