Unable to install esxi 5.5.0 u1 on UCS C220 M3S with 2.0.1a release - no network adapter

[fbroussey]

Hi everybody,

I've a big pb to install esxi5.5.0 U1 on a UCS C220 M3S with release 2.0.1a. I get this message : no network adapters.

I found a lot of post on internet that tell to make a customized install CD, what I did but without success. I also try to used the Cisco Customized install iso, with the same result...

I dont anderstand what's happen as the CIMC see the network interfaces...

Here is my hardware :

Intel I350 1 Gbps Network Controller firmware 0x80000AA4-1.446.1

Interl Ethernet Server Adapter I350-T4 firmware 0x80000AA6-1.446.1

Bios 220M3.2.0.1a.0 (Build Date: 04/28/2014)

CIMC 2.0(1a)

As per Vmware Compatibility Guide this release is supported with :  Cisco Systems, Inc. C220M3.2.0.1a.0.042820140020

http://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/detail.php?deviceCategory=server&productid=20703&releaseid=172&deviceCategory=server&details=1&partner=146&keyword=C220&systemTypes=2&page=1&display_interval=10&sortColumn=Partner&sortOrder=Asc

and per Cisco Compatibility guide Also : http://www.cisco.com/web/techdoc/ucs/interoperability/matrix/matrix.html

So any ideas ???

Thanks a lot for your help.

Regards

[Walter Dey · Accepted solution]

Similar situation discussed in

https://supportforums.cisco.com/discussion/12189941/no-compatible-network-adapters-found-ucsc-c220-m3s

It is possible that the optionROM for the onboard adapter is not enable.  Try to enable it in the BIOS, you can doit via the CIMC (see cimc_enable_optionrom attached ). You also want to verify this option gets enable in the bios.  
You can get into the bios by pressing f2 during boot up (see BIOS_Option_ROM attached)

[fbroussey]

The pb is that the 2.0.1 upgrade set the bios to UEFI instead of LEGACY...

Thanks

[Manuel Velasco]

Hi fbroussey

I believe I've seen this before so try the following

1) Downgrade the firmware of both, the LOM i350 and the PCIe I350 to the 1.4(7 ) firmware. It is very important that you chose this firmware 1.4(7) you only need to downgrade the firmware of the LOM and PCIe intel card

2) Verify if the current esxi installation can see the adapters after the downgrade of the firmware of the Intel interfaces.  If everything goes well you should be able to see the interfaces, If you don't see them, try to install the OS again keeping the firmware at the same level (1.4-7) Note  make sure to use the Cisco ESXi custom image (see below). 

3) If you are able to see the interfaces, update the drivers to the following version

Manufacturer     = Intel

Adapter Driver   = 5.2.5
Adapter Firmware = 1.6-3
Boot Code / BIOS = v1.5.43(PXE)/2.8.30(iSCSI)

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=2005205

4) once your update the drivers, update the LOM and PCIe Intel  interfaces to the 2.0(1a) release. The interfaces should stay after upgrading the firmware back to the latest version.

Cisco ESXi custom image download page

https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/details?productId=353&downloadGroup=OEM-ESXI55GA-CISCO

Please let me know if this works.

[Reuben Farrelly]

I'm having the same problem - and did the same "fix" of moving back to Legacy boot to get ESXi installed.

While I haven't tried downgrading the LOM firmware, is this being tracked as a bug in Cisco Bug Toolkit?  Certainly seems a backwards step to have to downgrade firmware or revert to legacy mode in order to do the installation...

Do the instructions in https://tools.cisco.com/bugsearch/bug/CSCtx85320 regarding the use of bootutil apply in this case as well?

If there is a bug ID can you post it here so we can track it?

[fbroussey]

OK guys. Thanks for your help.

The pb was that the new BIOS and CIMC upgrade 2.0.1 set the Bios Boot mode to UEFI.

After changed it to Legacy all is OK and esxi installed

Regards