Error when trying to install ESXi 7.0.3 on Cisco UCS C220M7N

[da-luk]

Hi All,

We keep getting the error detailed attached when trying to install ESXi 7.0.3 on Cisco UCS C220M7N even after upgrading the latter one to the most recent CIMC version 4.3(3.240043) using ucs-c220m7-huu-4.3.3.240043.iso. Has anyone seen the same error before while installing ESXi on a C220M7N? Is any other ESXi version known to install fine on a C220M7N or perhaps on any other C220M7 variant? 

Many thanks in anticipation!

[Riaan van Niekerk]

Looking at the 2nd screenshot, it states the version as 

VMware ESXi 7.0.3 [Releasebuild-18644231 x86_64]

I cannot find this particular build in https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article/316595/build-numbers-and-versions-of-vmware-esx.html but looking at this page, that build number seems fairly old, and probably not compatible with the 4.3.3 firmware you are running. Can you try

• Latest Cisco custom image, VMware-ESXi-7.0.3o-22348816-Custom-Cisco-4.3.2-a.1.iso (under Custom ISOs) or
• Latest non-customised image, ESXi 7.0 U3q

When you managed to install the OS with the non-customised ISO, you would have to update with the latest Cisco vendor add-on , (under OEM Addons) e.g. Cisco_UCS_Addon_ESXi_70U3o_22348816_4.3.2-a.1_depot.zip. If you installed with the Custom ISO, you would have to update with the non-customised offline bundle. 

[da-luk]

@Riaan van Niekerk :

Hi, thank you so much and sorry for replying late. Before the CIMC version was upgraded to 4.3(3.240043) we were getting exact same error with 4.3(2.230270), which perhaps was still too high for that old ESXi 7u3 build anyway. We eventually managed to get hold of a Cisco custom ESXi 7.0.3i build (VMware-ESXi-7.0.3i-20842708-Custom-Cisco-4.2.2.iso) that installed fine. Looks like it's somewhat older than the one you recommended, and I'm currently trying to sort out my access to the Broadcom portal/support to hopefully download it from there and give it a try. Btw do I get it right that the OAM add-would only need applying with the "Latest non-customised image, ESXi 7.0 U3q" (or any other non-custom one) and it's not needed at all with any Cisco custom one?

Thanks & Regards!

[addy-raghuv]

Why do we need to install OEM Add on anyway, if the 3q build is running fine.
Does it create any issue, if custom iso is not patched ?

[Riaan van Niekerk]

If the custom ISO you installed with, is certified with the firmware you are running, then you don’t need to install the vendor add-ons. 

You need to patch with the Cisco off-line bundle or install the vendor add-on if the custom ISO you installed with is not certified or compatible with the newer firmware you are running. Just because the OS installs, seems to be running fine, it does not mean that the firmware / Cisco drivers combination is certified.

For example, if you installed with VMware-ESXi-7.0.3i-20842708-Custom-Cisco-4.2.2.iso, but are running firmware 4.3(2), you are probably not running a certified combination of drivers and firmware. If you contact Cisco with an issue, they may ask you to install the Cisco vendor add-on for 4.3(2), or patch with the Cisco custom off-line bundle that matches 4.3(2). They both contain the same Cisco drivers.

[addy-raghuv]

Hello riaan,

Thanks for your input.

What I was trying to ask is I have patched cisco custom iso 20842708 with non custom iso ESXi 7.0 P09 23794027 and now it is giving the option to apply the Cisco OEM Addon i.e. Cisco_UCS_Addon_ESXi_70U3o_22348816_4.3.2-a.1_depot.zip to the server, now should I do that or let it run as it is my current firmware version 4.3(2.240009).

[Riaan van Niekerk]

(When you provide the full custom ISO filename that you. used to install the system, rather than just the build no, it makes it a lot easier to answer. I managed to locate the ISO based on the build no)

• ESXi 7.0 Update 3i 2022/12/08 20842708 VMware-ESXi-7.0.3i-20842708-Custom-Cisco-4.2.2-a.iso - the version that you installed with
• ESXi 7.0 Update 3q 2024/05/21 23794027 the non-customised bundle you patched with.
• Cisco_UCS_Addon_ESXi_70U3o_22348816_4.3.2-a.1_depot.zip - the version you are not sure if you should apply.

The non-customised bundle contains relatively old inbox drivers for enic, fnic & others, and will not overwrite or update the drivers from the 4.2.2 custom ISO. Even though Cisco_UCS_Addon_ESXi_70U3o_22348816_4.3.2-a.1_depot.zip “looks” older (since it is 7.0U3o) than the 7.0 U3q you patched with, the vendor addon contains much newer drivers compatible with 4.3(2) UCS firmware.

If you are running firmware 4.3(x) you need to update with either the Cisco vendor add-on, or the customised Cisco offline bundle with 4.3.2 in the filename. 

[addy-raghuv]

Thank you riaan,

It's all clear now, I just have one more question if I want to downgrade to a non customized 3p build from my current 3q build it is possible, if yes can you share the any kind of MOP.

[Riaan van Niekerk]

An ESXi downgrade is unfortunately not possible. You will have to reinstall. 

[Riaan van Niekerk]

I don't think it is the firmware that is too new, but the hardware that is too new for a 4.2.2 custom ISO. Standalone M7 servers require 4.3(1) firmware as a minimum, which is why you should try installing with a 4.3.2 custom ISO, which should/may include drivers that the server needs to install/run. 

"do I get it right that the OAM add-would only need applying with the "Latest non-customised image, ESXi 7.0 U3q"

Correct

"it's not needed at all with any Cisco custom one"

Correct.

[da-luk]

Understood: thank you. Btw after gaining access to Broadcom Support the latest non-custom ESXi iso I can see in the Primary Downloads tab there is this one: VMware-VMvisor-Installer-7.0U3n-21930508.x86_64.iso, as 7.0U3n is the latest one in the pop-down menu above the table with the images. Meanwhile in the Custom ISOs tab there's not a single Cisco image among those 7 displayed. I only found the Cisco add-on for 7.0U3o in the OEM Add-ons tab - this one:

Cisco Addon for ESXi 7.0 U3o
Cisco_UCS_Addon_ESXi_70U3o_22348816_4.3.2-a.1_depot.zip(11.9 MB)
Build Number: 23305701

We already have ESXi up and running on our M7 anyway, but if I ever manage to get hold of the Cisco custom iso 7.0U3o I'll give it a try on some other M7 next time. 

Thanks & Regards!