Does UCSM running with 2.2(3b) will support VMware ESXi 5.5.0 U3b fnic and enic versions

shankrappa · ‎04-12-2017

Hi Team

We have Cisco B200M3 servers running with Cisco Customized ESXi Image i.e ESXi5.5.0-2068190-custom-Cisco-5.5.2.2.

I need to upgrade the esxi host to 5230635(ESXi 5.5 Express Patch 11),So first I will do upgrade of esxi host to Vmware-ESXi-5.5.0-3248547-Custom-Cisco-5.5.3.2 using Cisco Customer Image for VMware ESXi 5.5.0 U3b Offline Bundle and then will do the esxi VMware patches ,so that esxi host will be up to date with latest patches( build no 5230635)

However our Cisco Blades are running with UCSM 2.2(3b) version with Adapter Version 4.0(1b) and BISO firmware B200m3..2.3.0.

I have query here that if I upgrade esxi host with Cisco Custom Image(ESXi5.5.0-2068190-custom-Cisco-5.5.2.2.),then Fnic and enic it will have below versions which is supported by Vmware

Cisco fnic version will be 1.6.0.17a and FW is 4.0(1g)

Cisco enic version will be 2.1.2.71 and FW is 4.0(4b).

But looking into Cisco compatibility Matrix tool, I understand that UCSM running with 2.2(3) will supports Cisco VIC 1240 with below version,

Firmware Version 4.0(1)

Driver Version 1.6.0.28 Fibre Channel

Firmware Version 4.0(1)

Driver Version 2.3.0.7 Ethernet.

So does UCSM 2.2(3b) supports fnic (1.6.0.17a and FW is 4.0(1g )and enic driver versions(2.1.2.71 and FW is 4.0(4b).) version ?

or Should I need to upgrade UCSM and blade firmware as well ?

Please can you guide me for my esxi upgrade.

Wes Austin · ‎04-12-2017

The custom ISO just comes with enic/fnic drivers to install the OS properly.

Once this is complete, you would need to validate your drivers are supported using the interop tool and upgrade/downgrade accordingly.

HTH,

Wes

shankrappa · ‎04-12-2017

Hi,

Thanks for your response .

i checked already that the custom ISO Image(Cisco Customized ESXi Image i.e ESXi5.5.0-2068190-custom-Cisco-5.5.2.2) will install Cisco fnic 1.6.0.17a and FW is 4.0(1g) and Cisco enic 2.1.2.71 and FW is 4.0(4b) versions on the esxi host and these versions are supported by Vmware.

But i m worrying about whether current UCSM 2.2(3b) support these enic and fnic driver version for the esxi host ?

Thanks

Wes Austin · ‎04-13-2017

The custom ISO image just has the drivers built into the OS. It will not change the firmware on the VIC adapter itself.

Once you install the ISO that you want, you need to check the driver versions and correct them accordingly. If the custom ISO gives you 1.6.0.17a and you need 1.6.0.25 per the interop matrix, then you need to upgrade your fnic driver accordingly.

HTH,

Wes

shankrappa · ‎04-13-2017

Hi,

Thanks for your reply.

After upgrading esxi image(Cisco ESXi Image to 5.5u3b),then

Cisco fnic version will be 1.6.0.17a and FW is 4.0(1g)
Cisco enic version will be 2.1.2.71 and FW is 4.0(4b).

But As per UCSM compatibility matrix,Cisco UCSM 2.2(3) supports below driver and FW version for Cisco UCS VIC 1240

fNic: Driver Version 1.6.0.28 and Firmware Version 4.0(1)
eNic : Driver Version 2.3.0.7 and Firmware Version 4.0(1).

So i can upgrade the fnic and enic drivers,however i upgrade the eNIC driver to 2.3.0.7 by downloading from vmware ,it will have enic driver version 2.3.0.7 and firmware version is 4.1(1d).

So with respective to enic fm version 4.1(1d) ,is this FM version supported by UCSM as i can see that UCSM supports enic Driver Version 2.3.0.7 and Firmware Version 4.0(1),but vmware enic version will have 4.1(1d) firmware version.

Even i checked to download 2.3.0.7 enic driver version from Cisco portal (ucs-bxxx-drivers.2.2.3b),but i can't see the enic driver at all for esxi5.5 U3.

So please can you guide after upgrading esxi ,can i download and upgrade enic version 2.3.0.7 with FM 4.1(1d) as my UCSm version is 2.2(3b) and Adapter version is 4.1(b)

Please find the attached document for more inf and .Please help me

Thanks

rlaplante@bhfs.com · ‎04-14-2017

I use Image Builder /PowerCLI to further customize the the Cisco OEM image. You can remove the old (or too new) drivers and add drivers that match the Cisco firmware you are using.

https://pubs.vmware.com/vsphere-50/index.jsp?topic=%2Fcom.vmware.vsphere.install.doc_50%2FGUID-C84C5113-3111-4A27-9096-D61EED29EF45.html

https://www.vmguru.com/2015/04/how-to-build-a-custom-image-with-vsphere-esxi-image-builder-cli/