VMware

ESXi: Update to ESXi 7.0.3 failed

Hi,

if your ESXi host is on a version <= 7.0.2 an update using the Lifecycle Manager fails with an error. vCenter
host returned esxupdate code -1

and on the host

~ # cat /var/log/esxupdate.log | grep ERROR
ERROR: esximage.Errors.InstallationError: This upgrade transaction would skip ESXi Base Image VIB(s) VMW_bootbank_i40en_1.11.1.31-1vmw.703.0.0.49537716, which could cause failures post upgrade


This happens because the Intel i40 driver was renamed from i40eun to i40en.

The VMware knowledge base describes this error and advices to uninstall the i40enu driver. But if you are on a version lower then ESXi 7.0.2c this is not necessary.

The Solution is:

Patch the host in two steps.

Define two patch baseline. The first baseline updates the system to 7.0.2c

New Baseline Update 7.0.2c
New Baseline Update 7.0.2c

Do NOT adding patches automatically

Baseline - Not adding patches automatically
Baseline – Not adding patches automatically

Add just the 7.0.2c rollup patch release

Baseline - Patch 7.0.2c Rollup
Baseline – Patch 7.0.2c Rollup

Attach the baseline to the host and install

Then add a second baseline and include just the 7.0.3a rollup patch release

Baseline - Not adding patches automatically
Baseline – Not adding patches automatically

Baseline - Patch 7.0.3a Rollup
Baseline – Patch 7.0.3a Rollup

Then attach the baseline and install the update.

Note (as of 10.11.2021): 7.0.3 has some critical issues

Michael