How to Install and Use VMware UMDS

What is VMware Update Manager Download Service?

UMDS is a piece of software that allows you to download patches from VMware repositories without needing to have the Update Manager Server connected to the internet. This can be useful (or a must) in secure environments.

Installation Steps;

Step 1; Prepare a Windows 2008 vm and start the installation. This software can't be installed on the same machine where VUM is to be installed. The software comes in the Vcenter Server cd. Double click on the VMware-UMDS executable.

Step 2: Start the installation of Vsphere Update Manager Download Service by agreeing to the EULA.

Step 3: Decide which database to use. In this case, the embedded database is used. Notice the 32-bit DSN reference if an external database is to be used.

Step 4: Specify if any proxy settings need to be added.

Step 5: Proceed with the question about the Destination Folder.

Step 6: Depending on how the vm was created, you may see this warning.

Step 7: Let the installation proceed. Click on Finish when done.

Step 8: Open up a terminal and navigate to the directory that contains the executable. Type the command with the -h option or without any options to see the available flags.

Step 9: Run the different commands to configure UMDS and then download the patches by using the vmware-umds -D command. For example, you can run vmware-umds -S --enable-host --disable-va to indicate to avoid patches for virtual appliances.