Problem Description:
Part A.
When you scan ESXi servers from Update Manager you receive error “esxupdate error codes: -1”
If you check update manager log you will see something like this “VIBs ELX_bootbank_elx-esx-libelxima.so_12.0.1108.0-03 and ELX_bootbank_elx-esx-libelxima.so_12.0.1108.0-03 have unequal values of the ‘payloads’ attribute: ‘[elx-esx-libelxi: 1602.936 KB]’ != ‘[elx-esx-libelxi: 1493.833 KB]’ “. You can see exact similar entry in ESXi server logs also along with other error messages.
In your case name of VIBs could be different, it happens because exact same VIB has a different payload. If you find issue with different VIB, then please use that VIB name in all the commands I mentioned in solution section.
Please note- if you do not have unequal payloads error in logs then jump to section Part B.
Solution:
First, enable SSH for ESXi host as we have to remove the VIB in question.
Run the following command first, I am trying to filter the result by specifying the name of VIB.
Command –
esxcli software vib list | grep ELX
Command Result –
elx-esx-libelxima.so 12.0.1108.0-03 ELX VMwareCertified 2018-08-23
Now to remove the VIB, use the command mentioned below.
Command –
esxcli software vib remove -n elx-esx-libelxima.so
Command Result –
Removal Result
Message: The update completed successfully, but the system needs to be reboot ed for the changes to be effective.
Reboot Required: true
VIBs Installed:
VIBs Removed: ELX_bootbank_elx-esx-libelxima.so_12.0.1108.0-03
VIBs Skipped:
Restart ESXi host and then you can scan server from Update Manager.
If you still have this issue and do not have unequal payload error in logs then please see Part B
Part B.
The issue occurs because the ESXi you are trying to install upgrade/patch requires some VIBs on minimum version level since that criteria is not matched you cannot remediate the host using VUM.
Please follow the procedure mentioned below-
Download the build .zip file from vmware site- from https://www.vmware.com/patchmgr/findPatch.portal?src=vmw_so_vex_fgreh_241
Upload the file to ESXi datastore-
Run the command
esxcli software vib install -d “/vmfs/volumes/Datastore/DirectoryName/PatchName.zip”
This command will throw dependency error like-
VIB VMware_bootbank_esx-base_6.7.0-1.25.xxxxxxx requires esx-update >= 6.7.0-1.25, but the requirement cannot be satisfied within the ImageProfile.
VIB VMware_bootbank_esx-base_6.7.0-1.25.xxxxxxx requires esx-update << 6.7.0-1.26, but the requirement cannot be satisfied within the ImageProfile.
Use the following command and note down the exact name of VIBs throwing error.
esxcli software vib list
Delete the VIBs using the command e.g. you want to remove vib named qrdent
esxcli software vib remove –vibname=qrdent
You may need to reboot the ESXi host to complete VIB removal. Once done use this command to update your ESXi host
esxcli software vib install -d “/vmfs/volumes/Datastore/DirectoryName/PatchName.zip”
Thank you for psting this issue. This was great, because I had exact the sam. You saved me a lot of time.
Glad to know that it worked for you!!
Thank you Pankaj, it’s really useful.
Happy to hear that!!
thanks Pankaj Patil. I spent quite some time on this problem and you article solved it. Thanks.
Glad to know that it worked for you!!
Hi Pankaj Patil, I had the same prb and your article was useful, but every time I apply a remediation the issue come back…
very annoying….
If this is happening for multiple servers connected to same vCeneter then probably you have some kind of customization that keeps on adding the VIB in question when you install the updates. Can you please share the exact error message, ESXi version and server make-model? Also if possible create custom baseline and skip the VIB creating issues.
Hi pankaj… I am having Same issue.. after remediation same error message.. My vcenter server is 6.7 lastest one 15132721 and esxi version is 14320388….first tried in a server it’s worked fine but.. Remaining 18 servers I had error code 1 .. Scanning esxi works fine oly while remediation
The issue occurs because the ESXi you are trying to install upgrade/patch requires some VIBs on minimum version level since that criteria is not matched you cannot remediate the host using VUM.
Please follow the procedure mentioned below-
Download the build .zip file from vmware site- from https://www.vmware.com/patchmgr/findPatch.portal?src=vmw_so_vex_fgreh_241
Upload the file to ESXi datastore-
Run the command
esxcli software vib install -d “/vmfs/volumes/Datastore/DirectoryName/PatchName.zip”
This command will throw dependency error like-
VIB VMware_bootbank_esx-base_6.7.0-1.25.xxxxxxx requires esx-update >= 6.7.0-1.25, but the requirement cannot be satisfied within the ImageProfile.
VIB VMware_bootbank_esx-base_6.7.0-1.25.xxxxxxx requires esx-update << 6.7.0-1.26, but the requirement cannot be satisfied within the ImageProfile. Use the following command and note down the exact name of VIBs throwing error. esxcli software vib list Delete the VIBs using the command e.g. you want to remove vib named qrdent esxcli software vib remove --vibname=qrdent You may need to reboot the ESXi host to complete VIB removal. Once done use this command to update your ESXi host esxcli software vib install -d "/vmfs/volumes/Datastore/DirectoryName/PatchName.zip"
i see this problem only with HP G10 servers, i have this VIB running on HP G9 servers and Update manager scan works perfectly on those ?
Also would like to know what would be impact if we uninstall this VIB and purpose of this VIB
The error message says there is a conflict so when you remove the VIB and next time install the updates it should install all required/missing VIBs. This VIB is for emulex drivers.
Hey Pankaj,
Thanks for the information. However, in my case, the scan has no issue. Re-mediating the host returns the same error message. This is because the non-critical patches in the Update Manager baseline contain those drivers. Any idea on how to tackle that issue ?
Can you post the exact error message that you see in ESXi update error & vCenter Update Manager?
I had this issue , I ended up booting the PC off the ISO and upgrading that way
Thanks Pankaj, very helpful, had same issue and this saved me a lot of time!
Glad to know!!
If after remediation returns the same error message, you have to delete the vib :
esxcli software vib remove -n xxxxxxxxxx.so
and also CLEAN the VCENTER update manager database as root via CLI :
service-control –stop vmware-updatemgr
/usr/lib/vmware-updatemgr/bin/updatemgr-utility.py reset-db
rm -rf /storage/updatemgr/patch-store/*
service-control –start vmware-updatemgr
Thanks, this worked for me too.
Do you know what is this elx driver? Usually elx refers to Emulex.
Glad to know that it worked for you. ELX is for Emulex drivers,