Apr
21
2009

Determining VMware Software Version and Build Number

I am just writing an observation report about a virtual infrastructure based upon VMware ESX and was wondering which version the customer is running Virtual Center at the moment. After asking my vExpert colleagues 8-)  they pointed me to the help menu and the about VMware Infrastructure item in the virtual infrastructure client. It nicely shows me what software is running as Virtual Center in build numbers.

After googling around the big library they call internet I found a nice knowledge base article from VMware explaining how to get version and build numbers. You can also use a command to get the version number of VMware vCenter Server by using:

To identify which version of VirtualCenter Server you are running, type (including the quotes):
“C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware VirtualCenter\vpxd.exe” –v

It still keeps showing me build numbers too, not what I need. The customer just wants to know which update they are at in terms of readable stuff like Update 1 or Update 2 and so on. Not a build number like 16458932279.

So I compiled a list of build numbers and updates from the patch notes for VMware ESX and VMware vCenter Server.

vCenter Server 4.0.0 | 05 May 2009 | Build 162902

VirtualCenter 2.5 Server Update 4 | 23 Feb 2009 | Build 147633 (English version)
VirtualCenter 2.5 Server Update 3 | 03 Oct 2008 | Build 119598 (English version)
VirtualCenter 2.5 Server Update 2 | 25 July 2008 | Build 104217 (English version)
VirtualCenter 2.5 Server Update 1 | 10 Apr 2008 | Build 84767 (English version)
VirtualCenter 2.5 Server | 12/10/2007 | Build 64201

VMware ESX Server 4.0 | 21 May 2009 | Build 164009

VMware ESX Server 3.5 Update 4 | 30 Mar 2009 | Build 153875
VMware ESX Server 3.5 Update 3 | 06 Nov 2008 | Build 123630
VMware ESX Server 3.5 Update 2 | 13 Aug 2008 | Build 110268
VMware ESX Server 3.5 Update 1 | 10 Apr 2008 | Build 82663
VMware ESX Server 3.5 | 02/20/2008 | Build 64607

Hope it helps out for easy reference.

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Related posts:

  1. Determining VMware vCenter Server and ESX Build Number (updated)
  2. Updated: Determining VMware Build Numbers for several VMware Products
  3. Determining VMware Build Numbers – view online
  4. Software Vendors with Support Policies for Customers Running in VMware Environments
  5. The VMware Infrastructure 3 Support Life Cycle
Written by Edwin Weijdema in: Business Case, Knowledgebase, VMware, vCenter/VirtualCenter |
In real live Viperian is Edwin Weijdema. He's a Business Consultant for Centric Managed ICT Services in the Netherlands. He spends his working hours with a lot of virtualization stuff, building Business cases for customers and he tries to inspire people to use virtualization.
  • We have two new article on this subject:

    (Dec 4th) Determining VMware vCenter Server and ESX Build Number (updated)
    http://www.vmguru.nl/wordpress/2009/12/determin...

    (Dec 14th) Determining VMware Build Numbers for several VMware Products
    http://www.vmguru.nl/wordpress/2009/12/determin...
  • Thank you for this post, its really usefully information.
    Is there a vmware wiki we could add this to and continue to update it?
  • @Sebastian: Thnx, I added it and scheduled the update for tomorrow.
  • This is indeed very useful. Would you mind adding the build numbers for U1?

    vCenter Server 4.0 Update 1| 19 NOV 2009 | Build 208156
    ESX 4.0 Update 1 | 19 Nov 2009 | Build 208167
  • Urban
    This is extremely helpful. I can't believe I'm not finding it at VMware's site! Thanks for taking the time!
  • This is helpful information! Thnx
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