the update command: esxcli software vib install --maintenance-mode --depot \ /vmfs/volumes/host-data/patch/update-from-esxi5.0-5.0_update01.zip dealing with maintenance mode from the command line: vim-cmd /hostsvc/maintenance_mode_enter vim-cmd /hostsvc/maintenance_mode_exit vim-cmd /hostsvc/hostsummary | grep inMaintenanceMode