Updating drivers manually for VMware ESX/ESXi hosts through VMware Update Manager or manually with CLI

To update drivers through VMware Update Manager:

1. Find potential driver update information through Vmware HCLhttp://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/search.php
2. Download driver updates by finding through Vmware updates:https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/info/slug/datacenter_cloud_infrastructure/vmware_vsphere/5_5#drivers_tools
3. Import driver package into VMware Update Manager (VUM)
4. Create new baseline with specific driver update package
5. Attach host into baseline
6. Check host compliance
7. Enter Maintenance Mode (if DRS is on auto or evacuate VMs on host via vMotion) and run VUM to install driver through the baseline
8. Host should automatically restart
9. Check if driver is installed by using the command in SSH to the host: esx-update query
10. Exit Maintenance Mode

To update drivers manually through CLI:

1. Find potential driver update information through Vmware HCLhttp://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/search.php
2. Download driver updates by finding through Vmware updates:https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/info/slug/datacenter_cloud_infrastructure/vmware_vsphere/5_5#drivers_tools
3. Unzip the [driver_name]-offline_bundle-[build#].zip and upload it to a datastore that your esx/esxi host can use
4. Enter Maintenance Mode (if DRS is on auto or evacuate VMs on host via vMotion) and run VUM to install driver through the baseline
5. Connect to host via SSH (with root access) and run the following command:
   
   esxcli software vib install -d [Path to offline zip bundle]
   
   ex:
   
   
   esxcli software vib install -d /vmfs/volumes/TMPL/Drivers/03-03-14/igb-4.2.16.3-offline_bundle-1138313.zip

   Installation Result
      Message: Operation finished successfully.
      Reboot Required: true
      VIBs Installed: igb-4.2.16.3-esx_4.2.16.3-3.0.1
      VIBs Removed: 
      VIBs Skipped:

   
   
6. Host will not restart after the install so you will have to restart manually (depending on driver install/update
7. Check if driver is installed by using the command in SSH to the host: esx-update query
8. Exit Maintenance Mode