VIBs that you can install with a live install do not require the host to be rebooted, but might require the host to be placed in maintenance mode.

When you specify a target server by using --server=<server_name>, the server prompts you for a user name and password. Other connection options, such as a configuration file or session file, are supported. For a list of connection options, see Getting Started with ESXCLI, or run esxcli --help at the ESXCLI command prompt.

Prerequisites

Other VIBs and profiles might require the host to be rebooted after the installation or update.

Install ESXCLI. See Getting Started with ESXCLI. For troubleshooting, run esxcli commands in the ESXi Shell.

Procedure

  1. Check whether the VIB or image profile that you want to install requires the host to be placed in maintenance mode or to be rebooted after the installation or update.
    Run one of the following commands.
    Option Description
    Check the VIB 
    esxcli --server=<server_name> software sources vib get -v <absolute_path_to_vib>
    Check the VIBs in a depot 
    esxcli --server=<server_name> software sources vib get --depot=<depot_name>
    Check the image profile in a depot 
    esxcli --server=<server_name> software sources profile get --depot=<depot_name>
  2. Review the return values.
    The return values, which are read from the VIB metadata, indicate whether the host must be in maintenance mode before installing the VIB or image profile, and whether installing the VIB or profile requires the host to be rebooted.
    Note: vSphere Lifecycle Manager relies on an internal ESXi software scan API to determine whether maintenance mode is required or not. When you install a VIB on a live system, if the value for Live-Install-Allowed is set to false, the installation result instructs vSphere Lifecycle Manager to reboot the host. When you remove a VIB from a live system, if the value for Live-Remove-Allowed is set to false, the removal result instructs vSphere Lifecycle Manager to reboot the host. In either case, when the remediation starts, vSphere Lifecycle Manager automatically puts the host into maintenance mode.

What to do next

If necessary, place the host in maintenance mode. See Place a Host in Maintenance Mode. If a reboot is required, and if the host belongs to a VMware HA cluster, remove the host from the cluster or disable HA on the cluster before the installation or update. Also, place the host in maintenance mode to minimize boot disk activity during the upgrade.