How do I determine what ESXi and vCenter builds I am running?

When starting a new VMware project or evaluating new features, it’s always good to start with the latest and greatest software versions. The following describes how to figure out what ESXi, vCenter, and Web Client you are currently running and if they are the latest build number. If not, you should consider upgrading.

Where can I find a list of VMware software versions and build numbers?

VMware vSphere and vCloud suite build numbers table:

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=1014508

How do I determine what ESXi build am I running?

Via the vSphere Web Client

• Log into the VMware vSphere Web Client
• Select a host
  • Home à Hosts and Clusters à Datacenter à Cluster à Host
• Select Summary tab
• Find the Configuration box (likely somewhere at the bottom right of screen)
• “ESX/ESXi Version” will tell you the version and build number

Via command line

• Log into the ESXi Shell of a host either by enabling local access and use the local shell on the physical console or enable SSH access and connect via an SSH tool like PuTTY.
• Execute the following command
  • vmware –vl
• Results will look something like this:
  • VMware ESXi 5.5.0 build-???????
  • VMware ESXi 5.5.0 Update 1

How do I determine what vCenter build am I running?

• Log into the VMware vSphere Web Client
• Locate the vCenter Server in the inventory tree
  • Home à vCenter à Inventory Lists à vCenter Servers à vCenter Server
• Select the “Summary” tab
• The version is listed in the “Version Information” pane on the right (see screenshot)

How do I determine what vSphere Web Client build am I running

• On the vSphere Web Client
• Help —> About VMware vSphere
• The version is listed in the “Version Information” pane on the right (should look something like)
  • vSphere Web Client: Version 5.5.0 Build ???????