Solaris 10 64-bit virtual machine reboots continuously after a fresh install

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:

When installing Solaris 10 Update 4 64-bit version on a ESXi host with Xeon E5400 or E5520 series processor:

• The OS continually reboots at the GRUB menu.
  
  Note: The OS is completely loaded.

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi 5.5
VMware ESXi 4.1.x Installable
VMware ESXi 4.0.x Embedded
VMware vSphere ESXi 5.0
VMware vSphere ESXi 6.0
VMware vSphere ESXi 5.1
VMware ESXi 4.1.x Embedded
VMware ESXi 4.0.x Installable

Resolution

Solaris 10 (updates 2, 3, and 4) require Solaris Patch 127112-07 if the CPU is a Xeon E5400 or E5520 series.

To install a Solaris 10 64-bit virtual machine:

1. Force boot into 32-bit mode by using GRUB and choose E to edit and modify the Kernel.
2. In the GRUB menu, add kernel/unix to the end of the first line of the GRUB edit menu.
3. Obtain the latest Solaris x86 Cluster patches from SUN and install the patches.
   
   Note: Ensure patch 127112-07 or higher is installed (which is a required patch for 5400 and 5500 series CPUs).
   
   
4. Reboot the machine.
   
   Note: The reboot will default back to 64-bit.