VMware vSphere 7.0 Update 2c is now GA, here's how to download it any which way!
Table of Contents
VMware vSphere 7.0 Update 2c was released on August 24 and isn't available for download on all 4 channels listed below quite yet, it's only on my.vmware.com so far. Don't worry, you can still get your lab updated to 7.0U2c now, read onward for details. I'll update this article accordingly once the new downloads of VCSA and ESXi 7.0U2c become available in the other channels too.
To get started with your lab testing, jump to the appropriate download section:
- If you have a free My VMware account
- If you're currently a vExpert
- If you're currently a VMUG Advantage EVALExperience subscriber
- If you're seeking the Free Hypervisor Download and License
The main VMware download page with all the products to sift through is here, with guidance on what exact files to get from where detailed below! If you're still on 6.x and are more of a YouTube watcher/visual leaner and you want to see what the upgrades to 7.0 are like, here's the article featuring informal videos that should help build your confidence!
On Aug 24 2021, I noticed that ESXi 7.0U2c became available, so I began my lab testing using the ESXCLI upgrade method.
Sequence
As always, be sure to update your VCSA first, here's my lab testing of that procedure using VAMI. Next, update your ESXi host(s) with the preferred Lifecycle Manager. Alternatively, use ESXCLI to upgrade which doesn't require VCSA, downloads and installs with one command, and doesn't require my.vmware.com credentials or software trials, or VCSA.
Issues
Please note that I've run into some issues with my own VCSA 7.0 Update 3 upgrade, but none were showstoppers.
Error in method invocation Exception occurred while unzipping patch script, please retry after sometime
Error in method invocation [Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/storage/core/software-update/tmp/latest/rmp-manifest.json'
Error in method invocation {'id': 'com.vmware.appliance.update.checksum_verification_failed', 'default_message': 'Checksum verification failed', 'args': []}
While I don't have video and/or a screenshot, at times I've also run into this error message.
Error in method invocation [Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/storage/core/software-update/updates/index' The directory does exist.
Some of these errors are mentioned in the VMware Communities post that was the basis for my eventual success with VAMI.
Despite this, my VCSA seems to work just fine once I managed to get the VAMI Update to work. I do have some other minor warnings in the vSphere Client that I might publish a video on if time permits, but those don't seem to have anything to do with how I updated. What surprised me was that my VCSA 7.0U2a instance was rebuilt from scratch under a month ago, so it was very nearly a fresh install. Thus, I found the errors surprising, but most went away by merely using vSphere Client to launch VAMI then clicking on Update, CHECK UPDATES, Check CD ROM, as pictured above.
Prerequisites
Folks new to VMware sometimes get tripped up when trying to find the actual files they'll need to get started. Note that the fresh install full downloads do require you to use your MY VMware account, with free sign-up and 60 day trials, with information about potentially avoiding all that for existing vSphere 7.0 non-production labs here, which I've already tested!
If you are new to 7.x, you'll need new license keys and some preparation. If you have a vSphere 6.x license key in your lab that is working now, after the upgrade to 7.0, you'll be starting your 60 day trial, during which time you'll want to apply your license keys from any one of the 4 options listed below.
As always, you must do your homework including checking whether your VM backup solution supports vSphere 7 Update 2c yet. Likely that will take at least a month or two. Check with your backup vendor to be sure, for example, since there's been a few of these supposedly minor updates that have inadvertently broken backups, for example. As always, the focus of my articles is home or work lab testing, typically considered non-production environments.
Release Notes
Before you begin any upgrades, you really need to review both
Warning
Note, when 7.0 came out, folks noticed significant changes about the filesystem layout, and note there were warnings about using boot media that's less than 32GB in size:
Good thing the bootable media included with all SuperServer Bundles since 2016 have been 32GB.
You will find all kinds of details in these articles, including dependencies and warnings.
So if you're going forward with lab testing this anyway, but you don't have a VMware support, then you absolutely must back up everything first!
License keys for vSphere 7 are another topic for another day, but one place that you can get 365 days of them for nearly every product VMware makes is the VMUG Advantage EVALExperience program, using TINKERTRY to get $20 off your $200 purchase. Absolutely worth every penny!
Download
Note, VCSA 6.7 was 3.41 GB, but vSphere 7.0 was 6.42 GB, and 7.0 Update 2c is 7.20 GB! Yes, there's a lot of increased functionality, and keeping perspective here, this is a heckuva lot smaller than installing Windows Server and SQL Server used to be. VCSA is now a Photon OS based slim Linux variant that only includes the code that's actually needed.
To get started with your lab testing, jump to the appropriate download section:
- If you have a free My VMware account
- If you're currently a vExpert
- If you're currently a VMUG Advantage EVALExperience subscriber
- If you're seeking the Free Hypervisor Download and License
1. If you have a My VMware account (free sign-up)
at my.vmware.com and haven't requested a trial in the last 60 days, the 2 links below should work, but won't give you access to license keys that are purchased separately at the VMware Store where you'll find that the VMware Essentials Kit is the most cost-effective option, unless you are eligible for the Academic Price. Per incident support is purchased separately, most helpful for VMware software issues on VMware HCL supported hardware, such as a Bundle.
- VMware vCenter Server Appliance 7.0U2c
7.20 GB
Name: VMware-VCSA-all-7.0.2-18356314.iso
Release Date: 2021-08-24
Build Number: 18356314
Note, as of Aug 26 2021, there is no ESXi 7.0U2c ISO download page yet, so for now, you can download and install the below 7.0U2a version, then use Lifecycle Manager or ESXCLI method to update it to 7.0U2c.
- VMware vSphere Hypervisor [ESXi ISO] image 7.0U2a
390.11 MB
Name: VMware-VMvisor-Installer-7.0U2a-17867351.x86_64.iso
Release Date: 2021-04-29
Build Number: 17867351
Licenses
Within 60 days, you'll want to apply your new vSphere 7 licenses from here:
my.vmware.com/group/vmware/my-licenses/by-folder
Troubleshooting Access
If you get a sad-trombone moment and are faced with an issue with accessing the downloads such as
Your evaluation has expired
Consider requesting a new vSphere 7 trial here:
my.vmware.com/en/web/vmware/evalcenter?p=vsphere-eval
See also alternative solutions I wrote up that may still work My VMware's "You either are not entitled or do not have permissions to download this product." error, and what to do about it., and this newer trick that may help.
2. If you're currently a vExpert
As of Aug 26 2021, it seems 7.0 Update 2c hasn't made it onto the vExpert Download section yet, but these instructions for downloading 7.0 should be similar enough to help you get by once it does come out.
- Log in to the download page at:
vexpert.vmware.com/my/downloads
then search for7.0.2at top right to find all new vSphere related downloads, or just search for each of these file names below: - The VCSA 7 appliance download you'll want is
VMware-VCSA-all-7.0.2-17920168.iso.gz, but Windows users will also need something like 7-zip to extract the iso from the fully-downloaded gz file. - The generic (non Dell or HP) ESXi download you'll likely want for most home labs is called
VMware-VMvisor-Installer-7.0U2a-17867351.x86_64.iso.gz
Type "7.0.1" in the search box at top right, then "7.0U2", to more easily find the downloads you are seeking.
Licenses
Within 60 days, you'll want to apply your new vSphere 7 licenses from here:
vexpert.vmware.com/my/licenses
3. If you're currently a VMUG Advantage EVALExperience subscriber
This is the VMUG Advantage download site for existing members, and here is the sign-up site, taking roughly one business day to process your payment and give you access to the downloads. Sorry weekend impulse tinkerers, next time, place your order on Thursday morning, OK?
The EVALExperience VCSA and ESXi 7.0 bits are now available for download using the direct link below. I've recorded this video of the ordering and downloading process on Apr 7 2020, once 7.0 Update 1 arrives on VMUG Advantage, the process will likely be quite similar. You don't have to wait, since you can also upgrade your VCSA 7.0 to 7.0U2c manually using VAMI then use the preferred Lifecycle Manager method of updating your ESXi hosts to 7.0U2c, or you can use the ESXCLI method of updating ESXi 7.0 to 7.0U2c.
STEP 0 - Become a member, or renew your membership if it expired
Mine had expired, so I renewed by clicking on UPGRADE TO ADVANTAGE. I'm told it usually takes one business day to process the order.
STEP 1 - Add to Cart
When prompted, just log-in, Add to Cart, disable any ad blockers for this page, then begin your download!
- VMware vCenter Server 7
This one item added to your shopping cart, place your order, and you'll see the exactly the 2 downloads you need!
STEP 2 - Check out
STEP 3 - Agree to the EULA
STEP 4 - Fill out SURVEY questions
Fill out answers to some basic product survey questions, takes about a minute
STEP 5 - Click NEXT to order
Your existing membership is your only cost, there is no additional cost for downloading any of the code you find in your portal. You'll now see a confirmation screen with the 2 license keys that you'll need to use in your lab once your installation is completed during the 60 day trial.
STEP 6 - Click on DOWNLOAD
Be sure ad blocker(s) are disabled for this url, or your download won't start.
As of August 26 2021, only 7.0U2a is available, here's the 2 files:
VMware vCenter Server 7.0 Update 2a
Name: VMware-VCSA-all-7.0.2-17920168.iso
Size: 7 GB
VMware vSphere Hypervisor [ESXi]
File: VMware-VMvisor-Installer-7.0U2a-17867351.x86_64.iso
Size: 372 MB
License Keys and Downloads retrieval
Keys were provided in STEP 5 above, but they can easily be retrieved any time by going in to your VMUG Advantage Order History, then clicking on the View Details button.
4. If you're seeking the Free Hypervisor Download and License
Apr 10 2020 Update - here's the new request URL:
my.vmware.com/en/group/vmware/evalcenter?p=vsphere-eval-7
and here's an excellent new article walking you right through all the steps
virten.net/2020/04/free-esxi-7-0-how-to-download-and-get-license-keys/
Not having access to VMware vSphere's best features that vCenter Server Appliance (VCSA) enables are pretty severe restrictions these days, here's a good article Nakivo wrote about the limitations in Free VMware ESXi 6.7. I know some just have one system, or multiple systems they're cool with managing via the ESXi Host Client.
What I have little sympathy for are folks trying to get away with using this free version for a production environment. I actually talked to a bank once who was doing exactly that. Sigh.
Thoughts & Plans
Of course, I've already begun testing new Update 2 release briefly, and I do plan to do a more thorough test on my Xeon D-1500 8 and 12 core SuperServer Bundles.
I am still considering re-doing my popular How to build your awesome virtualization home lab with VMware vSphere 6.0 (ESXi & VCSA), especially now that I've found an insanely fast and affordable Ubiquiti EdgeRouter Lite that does the forward and reverse lookup and FQDN that VCSA loves, with lovely names instead of ugly IPs for everything, and no certificate errors. This router also avoids that clumsy hosts-file-editing stuff and kludgey router domain name hoops I resorted to jumping through last time around. Setting expectations properly, I need to disclose that finding the time and the support to undertake such a large effort is going to be a challenge. A lot has changed in vSphere in the 6 years since I created that video, and during that same time I've changed day jobs 3 times too. If you have a keen interest in seeing such a step-by-step networking and vSphere deployment walk through, please:
- consider a Patreon membership
- drop a comment below to indicate interest, no login required
- include @paulbraren in a tweet
Upgrades
I'm also working on my usual "How to easily update" set of VCSA and ESXi articles, with testing going well so far.
Video
Step-by-step video showing me upgrading my SYS-5028D-TN4T Bundle based on the Xeon D-1541, going from 6.7U3 to 7.0 in my home lab.
See also at TinkerTry
- All vSphere 7 articles
- My VMware vSphere 6.7 Update 3 Upgrade Experience
Aug 21 2019
- How to update any VMware ESXi Hypervisor to the latest using ESXCLI for easy download and install
Aug 14 2018, updated Aug 20 2019
See also
- Homelab considerations for vSphere 7
Mar 30 2020 by William Lam at virtuallyGhetto
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