MS patch in the virtual machine template

Hello

In our environment, quite often we'll diploy VM model. But as you know Microsoft will release patches everymonth and it is dificult for us to maintain this model to this day. In VMware is ther is a technology that will apply the patches to the model itself?

Thank you

Annick

I did not task than this before, but since the said link also

"Scans can be launched on the entire data centers, clusters, pools of resources, models, folders, or individual hosts and virtual. They can be run immediately or on demand if necessary. After a

analysis, non-compliant machines are reported for the patch updates. »

If it's just redo the master VMs (pre-sysprep) and clone as necessary should still work

Tags: VMware

Similar Questions

  • Import the virtual machine template in vCenter Lab Manager?

    Hello

    I want to import a virtual computer model in vCenter Lab Manager. I can import the whole machine, but how to import from a certain snapshot?

    Rizwan

    Yes, then you will need to "reach" the point manually before cloning each point.

    Kind regards

    Jonathan

    NOTE: If your question or problem has been resolved, please mark this thread as answered and awarded points accordingly.

  • ESX patch.  "Stop the virtual machine.

    It has been a long day and a night so far and I plan just to weird things.

    Then a stupid question: patch when ESX year screaming 'VM Shutdown & Reboot host' such as the impact on the system, they really mean shutdown (aka put off the power) of the virtual machine? Or is specifically referring to VMware tools that need to be installed which requires essentially a reboot the virtual machine hot. I have run in a few recent scenarios where the particular SMV .vmx file must be updated and, for some reason, cannot be done when turned on. I have worked on 400VMs during the last year and I can honestly say with VMotion and Storage VMotion, can't believe more than 50 of them have actually been actually turned off (EX: increase of the Ram/CPU), even if we patch our windows every month environment that almost always requires a reboot.

    Fun as stuff that keeps me in the night

    RyanWI wrote:

    It has been a long day and a night so far and I plan just to weird things.

    Then a stupid question: patch when ESX year screaming 'VM Shutdown and Reboot host' such as the impact on the system, they really mean shutdown (aka put off the power) of the virtual machine?

    Reboot the host means that the ESX host must be rebooted after the patch is installed.

    Stop the VM means so to patch your ESX host all VMS on host must be stopped or migrated off the power before patching.

  • Unable to choose the host when you deploy a virtual machine template

    Good Morning-

    I feel that the answer to this is with myself; However, I would ask - I try to deploy a virtual machine model for test purposes and I want the virtual machine must be created on a specific host.  When I start the Wizard "deploy the virtual machine of model", I am only able to select the cluster and not a specific host.   Is it possible for me to be able to select the host to which the virtual machine will be deployed without disabling DRS?

    Thank you very much in advance for the help.

    Steve

    What happens if you right click on the host that you want to deploy on the virtual machine to and select deploy from model - but don't forget if you have a DRS activated with anything other that Manuel DRS will select the host on which the virtual machine starts on and it would not be that you deply to--

    If you find this or any other answer useful please consider awarding points marking the answer correct or useful

  • Customization of the comments for the virtual machines deployed from model has stopped working

    Hi all

    (Environment: vCenter and ESXi 10 5.1 hosts running Build #3070626)

    We have a model 2012R2 and a file specification of customization that allows us to deploy the VMs 2012R2 server. It worked well for a while. After the Christmas break, it seems more work correctly and we havn't knowingly changed anything to cause this. We have fixed our ESXi hosts Build #3070626 October 6, but have deployed VMs of model since, without problem.

    We have all staged for the VM in advance (IE AD entry of objects and DNS). And then powered the deployed virtual computer, sysprep runs, but does not seem to apply settings in the customization file (IE rename the virtual computer, set the Admin password, join the domain etc.). If feed us the cycle of the VM, sysprep is running again, but even once, does nothing.

    I have attached the contents of my file guestcust.log of a computer deployed virtual (see below), but I do not see the clues about the problem. I thought initially the error on the first line was important, until I've found it is also present on the virtual machines that have been successfully deployed from this template in the past, so it's maybe a Kipper.

    Does anyone have advice for troubleshooting this?

    TIA

    Mark

    ==========

    guestcust.log

    ==========

    Could not query value reported in the registry (the system cannot find the file specified.)

    Sysprep from Windows Respecialize operating detected.

    Copy the files from C:\Windows\TEMP\vmw7DEB.tmp to C:\Windows\TEMP\vmw8A3E.tmp.

    Rescheduling of customization of the guest operating system.

    "Executing command C:\Windows\system32\schtasks.exe / create /sc ONSTART $ more HIGH/np/z v1 /ru SYSTEM /tr" C:\Windows\TEMP\vmw8A3E.tmp\guestcustutil.exe customize - sealparam \"/quiet/generalize/oobe /reboot\ ' NIC - 4000 - schedulenativeunobfusc ' /tn"VMware Guest OS task of customization.

    At the request of guest OS customization task invoked.

    Remove scheduled task of customization of the guest operating system.

    Execution of command C:\Windows\system32\schtasks.exe, /f/delete /tn "VMware Guest OS task of customization"

    Personalization current 2016 to 1 - Feb - 11 18:32:42

    RPCI: Send request = 'deployPkg.update.state 4 C:\Windows\TEMP\vmware-imc\guestcust.log 0'

    RPCI: Envoy = 'deployPkg.update.state 4 C:\Windows\TEMP\vmware-imc\guestcust.log 0' request, response = ", len = 0, status = 1

    Key successfully open SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\

    Size of 27 reg_multi_sz.

    Read the multi_sz registry autocheck autochk/q/v value *, size 27.

    value chain of registry autocheck autochk/q/v *.

    1 items back

    Obtained the session mgr BootExecute.

    Native App sysprepDecrypter.exe, arguments "

    Copied file sysprepDecrypter.exe to C:\Windows\system32\sysprepDecrypter.exe

    Update boot run value.

    Created / opened key \Guest Customization\ SOFTWARE\VMware, Inc. successfully.

    New shoe, run:

    autocheck autochk/q/v *.

    sysprepDecrypter.exe

    System drive: C:

    Move the folder "sysprep" to "C:".

    Select * from win32_networkadapter where manufacturer! "Microsoft" and ServiceName =! = "VMnetAdapter" and the manufacturer is not null and MACAddress is not null

    1 objects found. Pointer f049a8. return code 0(0x0)

    "" "0 items found." " Pointer to 0. return code 1(0x1)

    00:50:56:B0:70:46 the value for the property return system

    Setting dhcp for nic # 0

    Return value \\VMT-W2K12R2\ROOT\CIMV2:Win32_NetworkAdapter.DeviceID="10' for the system property

    ASSOCIATORS OF {\\VMT-W2K12R2\ROOT\CIMV2:Win32_NetworkAdapter.DeviceID="10"} where ResultClass = Win32_NetworkAdapterConfiguration

    1 objects found. Pointer eee290. return code 0(0x0)

    "" "0 items found." " Pointer to 0. return code 1(0x1)

    Clear the gateway ip addresses.

    Enabling DHCP on the computer

    Returns the value for the system property \\VMT-W2K12R2\ROOT\CIMV2:Win32_NetworkAdapterConfiguration.Index=10

    DNS server IP configuration

    Execution of command C:\windows\system32\sysprep\sysprep.exe/quiet/generalize/oobe/reboot /unattend:C:\sysprep\sysprep.xml

    Successfully executed the command C:\windows\system32\sysprep\sysprep.exe/quiet/generalize/oobe/reboot /unattend:C:\sysprep\sysprep.xml

    Try to connect network interfaces, try 1

    RPCI: Send request = 'deployPkg.update.state 4 103 C:\Windows\TEMP\vmware-imc\guestcust.log@4000'

    RPCI: Envoy = 'deployPkg.update.state 4 103 C:\Windows\TEMP\vmware-imc\guestcust.log@4000' request, response is "queryNicsSupported", len = 18, State = 1

    Got answer VMX 'queryNicsSupported '.

    RPCI: Send request = 'deployPkg.update.state 4 104 C:\Windows\TEMP\vmware-imc\guestcust.log@4000'

    RPCI: Envoy = 'deployPkg.update.state 4 104 C:\Windows\TEMP\vmware-imc\guestcust.log@4000' request, response = 'connected', len = 9, State = 1

    Got VMX response "connected."

    Network interfaces are connected to 0 seconds

    =============================================

    OK, I myself fixed the end.

    I created a new customization file with exactly the same settings as the old file, and it worked. I can only assume that the old customization file has been altered somehow.

  • Start the virtual machine and wait for WF, does not connect to the computer virtual for Vds (Windows 2008 R2)

    Hello

    See a strange problem with only a Windows 2008 R2 model. When you use the built-in function "Start VM and wait" workflow to start a virtual machine (after conversion from a template either manually, or through workflow) NIC of the virtual machine (I tried VMXNET3 and e1000 times) does not connect to the problem. Vds can be replicated in a different VCenter, so spreading the vds. I also created several models of Windows 2008 r2 and all have this problem.

    If the model is converted and started outside VRO, it gets an IP from and is connected to the VDS immediately

    Tried add/remove the NIC of the model

    Tried to move the comments on different hosts

    Tried to create a new template from scratch

    NOTE: Windows 2012 R2 doesn't have this problem in the same circles, the only constant is the Windows 2008 R2 being started by VRO.

    Anyone seen this before?

    I found this article and it fixed my problem VMware KB: registration or the deployment of a virtual computer model fails apparently a fix a problem in ESX 5.1, 5.5 (I used the option to get around and things are good)

  • the virtual machine customization: Customize not

    Hi all

    When I create a model for w2k8r2 I follow these steps:

    -create a virtual machine

    -install w2k8r2

    -install the required patches

    -install all the software business for our build

    -stop the machine (no sysprep is run)

    -model of the virtual machine

    Now, when I deploy a vm' in this model and select: Customize will not... machinery recently deployed still would be Sysprep and made unique?

    Thank you

    Dryv

    How can I make sure my get sysprep machines would be?

    very simple.

    Use vCenter customization specification Manager, PR Cutomization Spec File for Windows, specify the Hostname of the virtual machine, the license key, network settings and check generate new largest SID.

    See next post where someone has explained how to do this step by step activity.

    Creation and use of VMware Guest customization Specification"blog of Adrian Costea

    now, when deploying the new VM model of yours, please check customize Guest OS-> select spec file. customization you created. and continue with the deployment.

    Rest will be done for you, as your newly deployed machine will be syspreped,

    This way you won't have to worry about SID, but at the same time many other things will be also supported.

  • We have configured replication vsphere in our environment and when replication is triggered according to the OFR start us below the questions on the virtual machines that are configured for replication

    Question: We have configured replication vsphere in our environment and when replication is triggered according to the OFR start us below the questions on the virtual machines that are configured for replication.

    Version for esxi: Patch 5.1 level 7

    Virtual center of version 5.1

    Source of storage - IBM v7000

    Destination storage - Hitachi


    Questions:
    Events of breach RPO
    Consolidation for the VM disk failure
    Delta abandoned events
    Time change events
    NTFS error and warning (event ID: 137, 57)
    RDP disconnect and ping does matter
    Standby error
    Volsnap error
    Stop the server and offline issue
    Install vmtools emits automatically

    well, in this case, we need to disable the standby of the end of the replication.

    So that everything in triggering replication does not trigger the snapshot of the suspension.

    Then test the if you get these errors.

  • Could not enumerate the virtual machines that are used as models

    Hey guys,.

    I have a simple script that collects information from a virtual computer. Unfortunately, I'm getting a lot of mistakes, he doesn't pull out information if the virtual machine is used as a model.

    $date = get-Date-format-M - d - yyyy

    Import-Csv C:\test\servers_mate.csv - UseCulture | %{

    Get-VM-name $_. Name |

    Select Name,

    @{N = 'Center'; E = {Get-Datacenter - VM $_______ |} {{Select - ExpandProperty name}}.

    @{N = "Cluster"; E = {Get-Cluster - VM $_______ |} {{Select - ExpandProperty name}}.

    Host, NumCpu, MemoryGB,

    ProvisionedSpaceGB, Powerstate,

    @{N = "Path"; E = {}

    $current = get-view $_. ExtensionData.Parent

    $path = $_. Name

    {}

    $parent = $current

    if($parent.) Name - only "vm") {$path = $parent. {Name + "\" + $path}

    $current is get-view $current. Parent

    } While ($current. Parent - no $null)

    [channel]: join ('-',($path.)) Split('\') [0.. ($path). Split('\'). (Count-2)]))

    }},

    FolderId,

    @{N = "Manufacturer"; E = {(Get-VMHost-Name $_.)} Host). Manufacturer reference}},

    @{N = ' model'; E = {(Get-VMHost-Name $_.)} Host). Model}},

    @{N = "ProcessorType"; E = {(Get-VMHost-Name $_.)} Host). ProcessorType}}

    } | Export-Csv "C:\test\servers-vcenter-servers-vmpath-$date.csv" - NoTypeInformation - UseCulture

    the output current is like that.

    NameData CenterClusterHostNumCpuMemoryGBProvisionedSpaceGBPowerStateFolder pathFolderIdManufacturerModelProcessorType

    I just also want to collect the same information, even if the virtual machine is used as a model. Introduction 1 additional column is perhaps something like below. So we can clearly identify if it is a virtual machine or be used as a model? Thank you.

    NameData CenterClusterHostNumCpuMemoryGBProvisionedSpaceGBPowerStateFolder pathFolderIdManufacturerModelType of processorVirtual MACHINE or template

    Erros I receive.

    Get - VM: get-VM VM with name 03/08/2015-12:40:44

    "xxxx" was not using the specified

    filter (s).

    Online: 2 char: 5

    + Get-VM-name $_. Name |

    +     ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    + CategoryInfo: ObjectNotFound: (:)) [Get - VM], VimException)

    + FullyQualifiedErrorId: Core_OutputHelper_WriteNotFoundError, VMware.VimA

    utomation.ViCore.Cmdlets.Commands.GetVM

    Try something like this

    Import-Csv C:\test\servers_mate.csv - UseCulture | %{

    Notice-EEG - ViewType VirtualMachine-filter @{'Name' = $_.} Name} | %{

    $esx = get-view-Id $_. Runtime.Host

    $_ | Select Name,

    @{N = 'Template'; E={$_. Config.Template}},

    @{N = 'Center'; E = {Get-Datacenter - VM $_.} Name | {{Select - ExpandProperty name}}.

    @{N = "Cluster"; E = {Get-Cluster - VM $_.} Name | {{Select - ExpandProperty name}}.

    @{N = 'Host'; E = {$esx. Name}},

    @{N = "NumCpu"; E={$_. Config.Hardware.NumCpu}},

    @{N = "MemoryGB"; E = {[int]($_.)} Config.Hardware.MemoryMB/1KB)}}.

    @{N = "ProvisionedSpaceGB"; E = {($_.Summary.Storage.Committed+$_.Summary.Storage.Uncommitted)/1 GB)}},

    @{N = "Powerstate"; E={$_. Runtime.PowerState}},

    @{N = "Path"; E = {}

    $current = get-view-Id $_. Parent

    $path = $_. Name

    {}

    $parent = $current

    if($parent.) Name - only "vm") {$path = $parent. {Name + "\" + $path}

    $current is get-view $current. Parent

    } While ($current. Parent - no $null)

    [channel]: join ('-',($path.)) Split('\') [0.. ($path). Split('\'). (Count-2)]))

    }},

    @{N = "FolderId"; E={$_. Parent.ToString ()}}.

    @{N = "Manufacturer"; E = {$esx. Hardware.SystemInfo.Vendor}},

    @{N = ' model'; E = {$esx. Hardware.SystemInfo.Model}},

    @{N = "ProcessorType"; E = {$esx. Hardware.CpuPkg [0]. Description}}

    }

    }

    The error you see seems to indicate that there is an entry in the CSV file for a nonexistent VM.

  • Perl script for deploying a virtual machine template

    Am looking for a perl script for the deployment of the existing models on Vsphere virtual computer. So far, I got access to the virtual machine. I saw that there is a utility called new-vm on the powershell. I'm running a linux machine and therefore seeking an alternative to perl. Kindly give me pointers or help me with some documents.

    Thank you!

    Well, I managed to create a virtual machine from the template using the vmclone.pl script, which is part of the vmware sdk. But post creation that he's not leaving means VM State is off. I'll have to find a way to start the virtual machine as well.

  • Storage test 55 certification vmotion, storage vmotion fails with "Could not lock file" on the virtual machine during storage vmotion

    In my view, that it is a known problem in ESXi 5.5 Update 2 release notes, someone knows a solution yet? This is an excerpt from the release notes:

    • Attempts to perform live storage vMotion of virtual machines with RDM disks can fail
      Storage vMotion of virtual machines with RDM disks can fail and virtual machines can be considered in turned off of the State. Attempts to turn on the virtual machine fails with the following error:

      Cannot lock the file

      Workaround: No.

    VMware support for the record said that the patch will update 3, it is known as an intermittent problem. Finally, it happened to me on the 9th attempt.

  • Help. The CPU has been disabled by the guest operating system. Power off or reset the virtual machine. WHY?

    Greetings.

    I have a 5.5 with an operating system Red Hat 5.10 ESXi environment. The OS worked fine until a few days ago. ESXi displays the error "the CPU has been disabled by the guest operating system. Power off or reset the virtual machine. I Don t know why my server displays the error if my environment was OK. Could be a kernel problem? operating system problem?

    Ideas?

    Thanks for the help.

    Have a look here. http://KB.VMware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalID=2000542

    Did you recently patch your VM? Looks like when the guest operating system runs the incorrect commands that it can have a deactivated processor.

  • Create the virtual machine by using the file PowerCLI and csv

    I know there is a lot of info out there on this and I think I have a working script prety good.  Much was borrowed from this thread, http://communities.vmware.com/thread/315193 many thanks to LucD.

    My code is as follows:

    # Deploy virtual machines from CSV file
    # Much borrowed from http://communities.VMware.com/thread/315193?start=15 & tstart = 0


    # CSV import file
    Import-Csv "C:\guests.csv" - UseCulture | %{
    # Gets the customization information to configure the static NETWORK card and assign the static IP address
    Get-OSCustomizationSpec $_. Customization | Get-OSCustomizationNicMapping | `
    Game-OSCustomizationNicMapping - UseStaticIP - IpAddress IpMode $_. ""IP address""
    -Subnet mask $_. Subnet - DefaultGateway $_. Gateway - Dns $_. DNS
    $vm = New-VM-Name $_. "" Server name "-model $_. Model-host $_. ' "The ESX host" '
    -Datastore $_. Data store - OSCustomizationSpec $_. Customization"
    -Confirm: $false - RunAsync
    ## .......
    }

    He's going to cross and clone the virtual machine, and looks like he's running of the OSCustomizaitonSpec then it bombards.  It cleans bad VM.  Recent tasks shows "failed virtual machine clone that a specified parapeter was not correct." hostname ".

    The problem is that I don't mean to set a hostname with the OSCustomixationSpec, I try only to IP address info.

    I'm runningn PowerCLI 5.0.1 build 581491

    My ESXi host is 5.0.0 build 914586

    My vCenter Server is Ver 5.0.0 build 623373

    I opened a new thread, because the age of the old thread.  Not sure if this is the best way to do things.

    A very simple and intuitive brake system :-)

    ## Deploy VMs from CSV File
    ## Much borrowed from http://communities.vmware.com/thread/315193?start=15&tstart=0  
    
    $maxJobs = 3 $currentJobs = 0
    ## Imports CSV file
    Import-Csv "C:\temp\TestDeploy1" -UseCulture | %{
    ## Gets Customization info to set NIC to Static and assign static IP address
        Get-OSCustomizationSpec $_.Customization | Get-OSCustomizationNicMapping | ` ## Sets the Static IP info
        Set-OSCustomizationNicMapping -IpMode UseStaticIP -IpAddress $_."IP Address" `        -SubnetMask $_.Subnet -DefaultGateway $_.Gateway -Dns $_.DNS## Sets the name of the VMs OS
        $cust = Get-OSCustomizationSpec -Name Test    Set-OSCustomizationSpec -OSCustomizationSpec $cust -NamingScheme Fixed -NamingPrefix $_.VMName## Creates the New VM from the template
        $vm=New-VM -Name $_."Server Name" -Template $_.Template -Host $_."Esx Host" `        -Datastore $_.Datastore -OSCustomizationSpec $_.Customization `        -Confirm:$false -RunAsync
    
        $currentJobs = Get-Job -State Running | Measure-Object | Select -ExpandProperty Count    while($currentJobs -ge $maxJobs){
          sleep 30      $currentJobs = Get-Job -State Running | Measure-Object | Select -ExpandProperty Count    }
    ## .......
    }
    

    You can be more selective about the current jobs. For example, you can check if the name of the job shows that they are actually cloning jobs.

  • PowerCLI can not change the IP address of the virtual machine

    I am relatively new to Powershell and PowerCLI (as in 1 week ago relatively new) and I'm falling through the procurement process about 12 VMS on a recurring basis for one class.  I can deploy VM template very well, however I would attribute a specific IP addresses the VM once they are done sysprep'ing.  I use Powershell 1.0 and PowerCLI 4.0.1 Windows 2003 VM (also vcenter in this box).  The virtual machine, I am the deployment is also Windows 2003 and sysprep very well.  This is the section in my script that I use to set the IP address:

    $net1 = 'LAN '.

    game-vmguestnetworkinterface - VmGuestNetworkInterface $net1 - vm P2V_student06 - hostuser root - hostpass * guestuser - administrator - guestpass * - static - ippolicy - netmask 255.255.255.0 - Gateway 192.168.20.1 ip 192.168.20.126

    Here is the output of get-vmguestnetworkinterface for this virtual machine:

    VMId: VirtualMachine-vm-578

    Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0

    NicId: VirtualMachine-vm-578/4000

    Name: LAN

    IPPolicy: Dhcp

    IP: 192.168.20.188

    DNS: {192.168.20.2}

    Passerelle_par_defaut: 192.168.20.1

    Description: Intel(r) PRO/1000 MT Network Connection

    Mac: 00-50-56-B7-36-45

    RouteInterfaceId:

    DnsPolicy: Dhcp

    WinsPolicy: Dhcp

    Victories:

    When I run the script it gives the following result:

    Name                                        Port                                        User

    -


    -


    -


    192.168.20.35 443 administrator

    Game-VMGuestNetworkInterface: cannot bind parameter 'VmGuestNetworkInterface '. Cannot convert value 'LAN' type 'VMware.VimAutomation.Types.VMGuestNetworkInterface '. Error: "Invalid typecast"System.String"'VMware.VimAutomation.Types.VMGuestNetworkInterface'."

    At C:\powercli_scripts\test_setup_vsphere_4.0_class.ps1:6 char: 53

    + set-vmguestnetworkinterface - VmGuestNetworkInterface & lt; & lt; & lt; & lt; LAN - vm P2V_student06 - hostuser root - hostpass * guestuser - administrator - guestpass * - static - ippolicy - netmask 255.255.255.0 - Gateway 192.168.20.1 ip 192.168.20.126

    The virtual machine was originally the standard 'connection to the Local network' for the name of the network adapter.  I thought that there might be problems with spaces so I renamed it 'LAN' and it still error.  Can anyone think what I am doing wrong?  This almost seems to be a bug any.

    Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.  I am pulling my hair being so closely how it makes me NUTS!

    Best regards

    Eric Steed

    Instead of filling the variable followed by setting the network card by specifying the variable can you just try the interface and piped to the set command?  I have repro had your problem, but got it to work in this way:

    Get-VMHost MY_ESX_HOST | Get - vm MY_VM | Get-VMGuestNetworkInterface |? {$_.name - eq 'Connect to the Local network'} | Game-VMGuestNetworkInterface - static IPPolicy - gateway 192.168.1.1 - Netmask 255.255.255.0 - Ip 192.168.1.5 - Verbose

    To meet the "necessary powershell in the prompt is", the answer is no.  You use the powercli command creates a file of commands, uses vix, or the equivalent of copy-vmguestfile or vmscript-invoke to call the file of orders for the customer... that's a CMD file on the guest.

    Now, there is a problem where vmguestnetworkinterface controls were assuming that was the name of the interface "Local Area Connection *" so naming anything other than that would break the script.  Not sure if this is yet, but I can check a little later.

    Hope this helps,

    Alex.

  • Automatic shutdown of the virtual machines in the Update Manager

    Is it possible to automatically stop the virtual machines as part of the Update Manager?  We have our virtual machines configured for auto power off/start with the host.  But when we apply a lot of patching ESX using the Update Manager, he waits for us to stop manually before putting the host in maintenance mode.

    Any way to automate that? Thank you!

    But when we apply a lot of patching ESX using the Update Manager, he waits for us to stop manually before putting the host in maintenance mode.

    Lol WHA each fails to accomplish is ESX is an enterprise product, it must be used with vMotion.  If the Update Manager is designed to make this easy and pain free, so if you have the shared storage, your VM will migrate to another host, maintenance is done, and the virtual machine back.

    ESX is essentially a hands on environment.  I know everyone can't afford a SAN, but ESX caters to these large enterprise systems that do not have SAN.

    By making a patch, so we are now toward the Windows stand alone everyday server where you have done EACH server, or do it manually power off / closure of EACH virtual machine is EVEN easier to do this 1 by 1 on EACH physical host.

    Consider so it cannot be the best option, it isn't that hard to select ALL VM under tension and click "shut down guest.  Besides that if you plan for a breakdown, you can stop the VM remotely (if windows) by using a shutdown script.

    There are a lot of options to do this, but there is no stopping the VM before update, you must do it manually.

Maybe you are looking for