Failed to install Nvidia driver on Linux virtual machine when secure boot is enabled

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

• The GPU mode is set to PCI passthrough.
• In the Nvidia driver installation log /var/log/nvidia-installer.log, the following error is reported:
  
  _{ERROR: The kernel module failed to load, because it was not signed by a key that is trusted by the kernel. Please try installing the driver again, and sign the kernel module when prompted to do so.}

 

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi 7.x

VMware vSphere ESXi 8.x

Cause

Linux kernels may require kernel modules to be cryptographically signed by a key trusted by the kernel for them to be loaded. In particular, many distributions require modules to be signed when loaded into kernels running on UEFI systems with Secure Boot enabled. 

Resolution

Follow these steps to resolve the issue:

1. Log in to the vCenter UI.
2. Right-click on the virtual machine and select "Edit Settings."
3. Select the "VM Options" tab.
4. Under "Boot Options," uncheck the "Secure Boot" option.

 

The issue can also be resolved by following the workaround steps:

• Sign the NVIDIA kernel module as Nvidia document: Installing the NVIDIA Driver