Intel NVM update tools do not work on Intel 1G igbn adapters.

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

NVM-related tools for Intel i210/i211/i350 series NICs require installing latest Intel async igbn driver, because inbox igbn driver does not and will not support this feature. To use these tools, users of inbox igbn drivers or users getting the inbox igbn driver after ESXi upgrade need to manually download and install the async igbn driver.

Symptoms:

1. Running following intel tools for igbn adapters will fail:
   NVMUpdate
   HP Lib
   NVMCheck
2. Following or similar error will be presented:
   Interface 'igbn' initialization failure (Result = 19/ errno = 0)
   
   

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi 7.0.x
VMware vSphere ESXi 6.7
VMware vSphere ESXi 6.5

Cause

This issue is caused due to lack of management interface implementation in inbox igbn driver.

Resolution

Intel Async (out of box) igbn driver is required to support affected tools. Download and install latest igbn driver from: VMware Compatibility Guide