ESXI Server: ‘SEL Fullness’ message
Recently after upgrading ESXI from 6.5 to 6.7u3 on Lenovo (IBM) x3650 M5 machine, I received following error on vsphere web client
System Management Software 1 SEL Fullness: Log almost full
In vSphere 6.7 , Navigate to following and reset event log
Monitor > Tasks and Events > Hardware Health > SYSTEM EVENT LOG > RESET EVENT LOG
Updating ESXI 6.5 to 6.7u3 from the CLI
Recently I did some major updates in our virtual infrastructure including ESXi (ver 6.5.0, 10719125) , Vcenter & Veeam (9.5.4.2866) . Things were updated in following order
- Veeam B&R upgraded to ver 9.5.4.2866
- Vcenter upgraded to ver 6.7.0.40000
- ESXI hosts upgraded to ver 6.5.0, 10719125
For ESXI update from 6.5 to 6.7u3. In the past I always use Installer CD/USB to upgrade from older esxi to new version, but for this approach, I have to compromise on my holidays or sit very late in office. This time time I took another approach and upgraded all the esxi hosts one by one on sundays remotely from the home using offline bundle installer & esxi CLI method. This is how I accomplished it.
I first downloaded the 6.7 update offline bundle from the Lenovo site (since we have all the IBM/Lenovo brand servers therefore I selected this option to avoid any hardware driver issue).
Afterwards I uploaded this offline bundle zip file to Esxi datastore, then logged in to esxi host via SSH, and issued
esxcli software vib install -d /vmfs/volumes/5d0cf64f-a83e7c86-6a4d-40f2e922c64a/Lenovo_Offline_Bundle_VMware_ESXi_6.7.0.update03_14320388_LNV_20190920.zip
Note: make sure to change datastore and filename as required.
It took few minutes, once I saw SUCCESS message, I completed the process by simply rebooted the ESXI host by cmd
reboot
Better approach is to update rather than install
esxcli software vib update -d /vmfs/volumes/5d0cf64f-a83e7c86-6a4d-40f2e922c64a/Lenovo_Offline_Bundle_VMware_ESXi_6.7.0.update03_14320388_LNV_20190920.zip
Difference between VIB update and VIB install
Excerpt from “https://communities.vmware.com/thread/435959”
To install or update a .zip file, use the -d option. To install or update a .vib file use the -v option.
Using the update command is the recommended method for patch application. Using this command applies all of the newer contents in a patch, including all security fixes. Contents of the patch that are a lower revision than the existing packages on the system are not applied.
Using the install command overwrites the existing packages in the system with contents of the patch you are installing, including installing new packages and removing old packages. The install command may downgrade packages on the system and should be used with caution. If required, the install command can be used to downgrade a system (only for image profiles) when the –allow-downgrade flag is set.
The install method has the possibility of overwriting existing drivers. If you are using 3rd party ESXi images, VMware recommends using the update method to prevent an unbootable state.
Check esxi version from CLI
esxcli system version get Product : VMware ESXi Version : 6.7.0 Build : Releasebuild-14320388 Update : 3 Patch : 73<span style="color:var(--color-text);">
Will update more
Regards
Syed Jahanzaib
informative but i change my IT field
Thanks ________________________________
LikeLike
Comment by ZAFAR ABBAS — November 28, 2019 @ 11:23 AM
You did right thing to change field. It’s really headache & when you start aging, its becomes daunting task on your health to manage IT tasks & face day to day tension.
LikeLike
Comment by Syed Jahanzaib / Pinochio~:) — November 28, 2019 @ 11:32 AM