To ensure the stability and performance of vSphere ESXi hosts, administrators need to regularly install and manage drivers, patches, and software extensions. One of the core components of these operations is the VIB file. This article will provide a detailed explanation of VMware VIB files, including their definition, installation methods, and frequently asked questions, to help administrators better manage and extend their vSphere environment.
What is VMware VIB?
A VIB, short for vSphere Installation Bundle, is a software package file used for vSphere ESXi hosts, typically containing drivers, patches, or third-party extension modules. The concept was introduced in vSphere 5, and it functions similarly to RPM packages in Linux or APK files in Android. Its purpose is to simplify the distribution and installation of drivers, patches, and extensions. You can even create customized ESXi installation package by merge the VIB files.
VIB files consist of 3 main components:
File Archive (Payload): Contains the actual files to be installed on the system, such as drivers, patches, or extension functionalities.
Descriptor File (descriptor.xml): This file contains metadata about the VIB package, such as installation requirements, dependencies, compatibility, and whether a reboot is necessary.
Signature File (sig.pkcs7): Used to verify the trustworthiness of the VIB package, indicating its acceptance level (VMwareCertified, VMwareAccepted, PartnerSupported, and communitySupported), ensuring the security and integrity of the VIB.
Explanation of the four acceptance level:
VMwareCertified: Created by VMware and rigorously tested, suitable for production environments.
VMwareAccepted: Provided by VMware-certified partners, with testing results verified by VMware.
PartnerSupported: Provided by trusted partners, suitable for non-mainstream technologies.
CommunitySupported: Provided by the community, typically not verified by VMware, not recommended for use in production environments.
How to Install a VIB on ESXi?
If you have get the packege of a VIB file on an ESXi host, follow these steps to install it:
1. Upload the VIB file to the ESXi host. You can use tools like WINSCP or Filezilla to transfer the VIB file to the a datastore of the host.
2. Install the VIB File:
esxcli software vib install -d <full path to VIB file>
esxcli software vib install -v <full path to VIB file>
How to Uninstall a VIB from ESXi?
You can use the command below to uninstall a VIB file from an ESXi host:
esxcli software vib remove --vibname=<VIB file name>
After uninstall the VIB file, don’t forget to reboot the ESXi host because some VIB installations may require a reboot to take effect.
How to protect ESXi VM with Vinchin?
To ensure the business continuity of VMware environment, you should have a good data protection solution so no matter you encounter any problems, you always have the chance to restore the data.
Vinchin is a professional backup and disaster recovery solution for mainstream virtual environments like VMware, Hyper-V, Proxmox, oVirt, OLVM, RHV, XCP-ng, XenServer, etc. It is the offical partner of VMware and provide integrated features for VMware data protection.
Agentless Backup: You just need the credentials of vCenter or ESXi client to add all the VMs to the backup systems.
LAN-free Backup: You can configure the storage network for the backup jobs so the production network won’t be effected by the jobs.
Instant Restore: When an ESXi VM is down, you can use instant restore to restart the VM in 15 seconds.
DR Lab: There is a bulit-in DR lab in the system, allowing you create verification jobs to ensure the backup data is usable for data recovery. You can even directly restore a VM in the DR lab.
It is very easy to create a backup job for VMware VMs. You just need 4 steps.
1. Select the VMware VM
2. Select the storage
3. Select the backup strategies
4. Submit the job
Vinchin is considered as one of the best data protection solution for enterprises. You can download the installation package below and deploy it in your IT environment in minuts. Just click the button below to start a 60-day full-featured free trial.
VMware VIB FAQs
1. Where can you download the VIB file?
VIB files can be downloaded from VMware's official website or provided by third-party vendors. It is recommended to use VIB files released by VMware, as they undergo rigorous testing to ensure compatibility and stability. VIB files from third-party vendors are typically used to extend the functionality of vSphere or to support their hardware.
2. Can you create VIB files by myself?
Yes, you can create VIB files using scripts. However, although you can create your own VIB files, it is not recommended to create them for use in production environments, as this could lead to instability. It is better to use official or certified VIB files to ensure the reliability and security of the system.
3. Can you install a VIB without esxcli command?
Yes, except for esxcli command, you can also install a VIB in vSphere Update Manager.
Conclusion
VMware VIB files are one of the core components for managing and extending ESXi hosts. With VIB files, administrators can easily install drivers, patches, and extensions, ensuring system compatibility and stability. Understanding the basic concepts of VIB files, installation steps, and frequently asked questions can help administrators manage vSphere environments more efficiently and resolve potential issues promptly.
