What’s New: VMware ESXi 8.0 Update 2b Release Notes

VMware ESXi 8.0 Update 2b introduces several noteworthy enhancements and features. Below are the key updates included in this release:

1. Solution License Consolidation: With the rollout of vSphere 8.0 Update 2b, users can now apply a single Solution License to both VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) and VMware vSphere Foundation (VVF) components. This streamlines licensing management for these essential components. For detailed guidance on applying the Solution License to VVF components, refer to the documentation on VMware vSphere Foundation (VVF) Licensing. Additionally, more information on the VCF Solution License is available in the VMware Cloud Foundation 5.1.1 Release Notes.
2. Enhanced Storage Capacity: As part of the VMware vSphere Foundation Solution License, users can leverage up to 100 gibibytes (GiB) of included vSAN storage per licensed core starting with vSphere 8.0 Update 2b. For capacities exceeding 100 GiB per core, users can acquire vSAN capacity per tebibyte (TiB) and apply a corresponding vSAN license key reflecting the total raw storage capacity of the vSAN cluster. Detailed insights on capacity reporting and licensing in vSAN can be found in the resources on Demystifying Capacity Reporting in vSAN and Counting Cores for VMware Cloud Foundation and vSphere Foundation and TiBs for vSAN.
3. Dynamic Firewall Rules for Syslog Collectors: ESXi 8.0 Update 2b introduces the automatic creation of persistent dynamic firewall rules by the vmsyslogd service when configuring syslog remote hosts, or loghosts, with non-standard ports. This eliminates the need for manual firewall configuration for ports other than the default 514 for TCP/UDP and 1514 for SSL protocols. However, when configuring remote hosts with standard ports, enabling the syslog firewall ruleset is still necessary for proper functionality.
4. Expanded Support for vSphere Quick Boot: This update extends support for vSphere Quick Boot to several server models from Dell, HPE, and Lenovo. Notable additions include various Dell PowerEdge models, VxRail appliances, HPE Alletra Storage Servers, and Lenovo DN8848 V2. For a comprehensive list of supported servers, consult the VMware Compatibility Guide.

In addition to these highlights, users can refer to the release notes of earlier versions of ESXi 8.0 for a detailed overview of new features, resolved issues, and known bugs. Furthermore, the ESXi 8.0 Update 2b release optimizes memory usage for the ‘ps’ command, reducing memory requirements by up to 96%.

• ESXi 8.0 Update 2b adds support to vSphere Quick Boot for multiple servers, including: 
  • Dell
    • MX760c vSAN Ready Node
    • PowerEdge C6615
    • PowerEdge XR8610t
    • R7625 vSAN Ready Node
    • VxRail VP-760xa
    • VxRail VS-760
  • HPE
    • Alletra Storage Server 4110
    • Alletra Storage Server 4140
    • HPE Cray XD670
    • ProLiant DL110 Gen11
    • ProLiant DL20 Gen11
    • ProLiant ML30 Gen11
  • Lenovo
    • DN8848 V2
  For the full list of supported servers, see the VMware Compatibility Guide.

For those interested in obtaining the latest patches, VMware ESXi 8.0 Update 2b is available for download. The release includes critical patches aimed at enhancing system stability and performance. Details regarding the patch, including download filename, build number, size, and checksum, are provided for reference.

Patch for VMware ESXi 8.0 Update 2b

This release of ESXi 8.0 Update 2b delivers the following patches:

Build Details

To ensure a smooth update process, hosts may require a reboot, and virtual machines might need migration or shutdown. Users are encouraged to follow the provided instructions for patch download and installation to minimize disruptions during the update process.