VMware ESX(i) 3.5 Update4 released

VMware has released ESX(i) 3.5 update4.

Do not forget to read the release notes here or you can go to the download page here

While going through the release notes these things caught my attention:

• vCenter 2.5 U2 or higher is required before upgrading to ESX(i) 3.5 U4 according to the Compatibility Matrix
• If you are in a managed (enterprise) environment like me, be sure to upgrade the VI Client software before upgrading your vCenter server.
• According to the VMware ESX server Supported Hardware Lifecysle Management Agents page, the HP Insight Manager Agents need an upgrade to version 8.2. Also see my post on Unattended upgrade of HP management agents
• Also there is a VMware Tools upgrade required after upgrading
• Expanded Support for Enhanced vmxnet Adapter — This version of ESX Server includes an updated version of the VMXNET driver (VMXNET enhanced) for the following guest operating systems:
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (64-bit)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional (32-bit)
• Enablement of Intel Xeon Processor 5500 Series (Nehalem)— Support for the Xeon processor 5500 series has been added. Support includes Enhanced VMotion capabilities. For additional information on previous processor families supported by Enhanced VMotion, see Enhanced VMotion Compatibility (EVC) processor support (KB 1003212).
• QLogic Fibre Channel Adapter Driver Update — The driver and firmware for the QLogic fibre channel adapters have been updated to version 7.08-vm66 and 4.04.06 respectively. This release provides interoperability fixes for QLogic Management Tools for FC Adapters and enhanced NPIV support.
• Emulex Fibre Channel Adapter Driver Update — The driver for Emulex Fibre Channel Adapters has been upgraded to version 7.4.0.40. This release provides support for the HBAnyware 4.0 Emulex management suite.
• Newly Supported Guest Operating Systems — Support for the following guest operating systems has been added specifically for this release:
  • SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 (32-bit and 64-bit).
  • SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 11 (32-bit and 64-bit).
  • Ubuntu 8.10 Desktop Edition and Server Edition (32-bit and 64-bit).
  • Windows Preinstallation Environment 2.0 (32-bit and 64-bit).

Known issues:

• VMware Tools Upgrade on Linux Guests Requires Manual Network Service Restart (KB 1004322)
• After cold migration on ESX Server, virtual disk with snapshot has the wrong CID (KB 1005228)