Downloading host updates and related metadata is a predefined automatic process that you can modify. The automatic download task is enabled by default and starts immediately after you deploy vCenter Server. After the initial download, the task runs according to its schedule.

The default schedule settings ensure frequent checks, but you can change the schedule if your environment requires you to adjust the frequency of the checks.

If you need the latest software updates, you might want to reduce the time interval between the checks for updates. By contrast, if you are not concerned about the latest updates, if you want to reduce the network traffic, or if you cannot access the update servers, you might want to increase the time interval between the checks for updates.

The automatic download of update metadata is enabled by default and the default task name is VMware vSphere vSphere Lifecycle Manager Update Download. You can change the configuration of the task.

Prerequisites

  • Verify that the machine on which vSphere Lifecycle Manager runs has access to the Internet.
  • Required privileges: VMware vSphere Lifecycle Manager.Configure.

Procedure

  1. Navigate to the vSphere Lifecycle Manager home view.
    1. In the vSphere Client, select Menu > Lifecycle Manager.
    2. Select a vCenter Server system from the Lifecycle Manager drop-down menu.
      The drop-down menu is available only when multiple vCenter Server systems are connected by a common vCenter Single Sign-On domain. By selecting a vCenter Server system, you specify which vSphere Lifecycle Manager instance you want to administer.
  2. On the Settings tab, select Administration > Patch Downloads.
  3. In the Automatic Download Settings pane, click the Edit button.
    The Edit Settings for Automatic Patch Downloads dialog box opens.
  4. Select the Download patches check box and configure the schedule and settings for the download.
    To receive notification emails after the download task finishes, you must configure mail settings for the vSphere Client. For more information, see the vCenter Server and Host Management documentation.
  5. Click Save to save your changes and close the dialog box.

Results

The automatic download task runs according to the schedule you configured.