That… could be a problem…

Adding the MEM to ESXi Hosts with Update Manager

Tossed up a new Equallogic unit, and wanted to experiment with installing the Multipathing Extension Module. I heard at a recent VMUG event that you could install the MEM via the Update Manager, so I figured I would give it a shot.

Now there's nothing wrong with the Round Robing multipathing option, it actually works quite well. Here's how the connections are setup from the beginning:

First things first, head out to the Equallogic Support site and download the MEM zip through the VMware Integration link. Once it's downloaded, extract it.

Now in your Virtual Center, go to your Update Manager, then select the "Patch Repository" tab, and then select the "Import Patches" link".

Browse for the MEM Patch you downloaded, select the zip file, select "Next":

Let the patches upload and confirm that's the version you want installed:

Once completed, go back through and verify that it was added (Note: it will be bold since you imported it).

Now you'll need to create an Host Extension Baseline. If you already have one, skip this part. You'll want to go back to the "Baselines and Groups" tab and then select "Create".

Add a name and then select "Host Extension" for the Baseline Type.

Next, add the Dell Equallogic Extension, and click Finish.

With the baseline added and then the extension added to the baseline, go back to the ESXi host and then to the Update Manager tab and select the "Attach".

Check the new Extension Baseline that was created and select "Attach".

Now scan the host and make sure to include the "Patches and Extensions" check box.

You should see that your host is "Non-Compliant" and there is at least an Extension that is missing.

Click on the "Stage" button, which will bring up the wizard. Ensure that the Extension Baseline is selected and select "Next".

Make sure that the extension you loaded is selected to be staged.

Click on "Finish" and allow the system to stage the updates on the host, you'll also notice the missing extension now says that it's "staged".

Click on the "Remediate" button to bring up the next wizard. Ensure the Baseline you want is selected for the host you want and select "Next".

Similar to the staging step, ensure the Extension you wish to install is selected and choose "Next". Then give the task a name and schedule it. Also if it's part of a Cluster, select any kind of options that work with your cluster, and finally verify that everything is correct and click on "Finish"

You'll see the host enter maintenance mode, install the extension, and then reboot. Once it boots back up, it will exit maintenance mode automatically.

Now your host will be updated on the storage paths to be "DELL_PSP_EQL_ROUTED" which will allow the plugin to choose the best way to route the traffic between ESXi host and SAN.