I have an ESXi server running a firewall, and the only way of accessing the ESXi mgmt interface is over a VPN through that firewall. In order to patch the ESXi host I need to be connected; either through vCenter or SSH, over VPN.
All virtual machines are set to automatically start with the ESXi host, so the VPN will work after a boot.
Is there a way to forcibly install all patches, without entering maintenance mode, and then reboot the server? This is an experimental system.