Symptoms

Dell PowerEdge servers upgrading from VMware ESXi 6.7 or 6.5 to VMware ESXi 7.0 may fail with vmkapi DependancyError due to drivers that are built with older vmkapi version dependencies which are deprecated from ESXi 7.0. Affected Products: Dell PowerEdge servers upgrading from VMware ESXi 6.7 or 6.5 to VMware ESXi 7.0 VMware Upgrade Example Error: VIB QLC_bootbank_qedi_2.10.15.0-1OEM.670.0.0.8169922 requires vmkapi_2_2_0_0, but the requirement cannot be satisfied within the ImageProfile [DependencyError] ... VIB QLC_bootbank_qedi_2.10.15.0-1OEM.670.0.0.8169922 requires vmkapi_2_2_0_0, but the requirement cannot be satisfied within the ImageProfile. ... VIB QLC_bootbank_qedf_1.3.35.0-1OEM.600.0.0.2768847 requires vmkapi_2_2_0_0, but the requirement cannot be satisfied within the ImageProfile. ... VIB QLC_bootbank_qedf_1.3.35.0-1OEM.600.0.0.2768847 requires vmkapi_2_3_0_0, but the requirement cannot be satisfied within the ImageProfile. ... VIB QLC_bootbank_qedf_1.3.35.0-1OEM.600.0.0.2768847 requires qedentv_ver = X.11.6.0, but the requirement cannot be satisfied within the ImageProfile. ... VIB QLC_bootbank_qedi_2.10.15.0-1OEM.670.0.0.8169922 requires qedentv_ver = X.11.6.0, but the requirement cannot be satisfied within the ImageProfile. ... VIB QLC_bootbank_qfle3f_1.0.68.0-1OEM.650.0.0.4598673 requires vmkapi_2_2_0_0, but the requirement cannot be satisfied within the ImageProfile. ... VIB SFC_bootbank_sfvmk_2.3.3.1002-1OEM.650.0.0.4598673 requires vmkapi_2_2_0_0, but the requirement cannot be satisfied within the ImageProfile.

Cause

This issue is caused when drivers are built with older vmkapi version dependencies which are deprecated from ESXi 7.0 onwards. Reference vmkapi version removal and Installing/upgrading implication with ESXi 7.0 (78389) for the list of affected drivers.

Resolution

Dell does not recommend attempting upgrades to ESXi 7.0 with the A00 or A01 version of the Dell customized ISO image. If you have encountered an upgrade problem and cannot revert back to the prior 6.x installations, or are unable to perform a fresh installation of ESXi 7.0, contact Dell technical support. Note: The A00/A01 Dell-customized ISO (build 15952498) is suitable for new installations of ESXi 7.0. Known issues are published in the VMware vSphere 7.x Release Notes. For more information, reference VMware vSphere 7.x on Dell PowerEdge Systems Release Notes. Dell customized ISO versions A02 or higher should be used for any upgrades, as any issues encountered on older versions have been addressed.

Support Cases