Upgrading SRM/vSphere Replication from version 8.7 to 9.x fails with error Error: file '/vMlinuz-4. 19. 182-2. ph3' not found

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Symptom:

• Upgrading SRM/VRMS from 8.7 to 9.0.x succeeds however appliance fails to boot with an error: "Loading Linux #.##.##.# ph3error: file'####.#.##.##.#ph3'not found. Loading initial ramdisk (...)".
  
  

Environment

vSphere Replication 9.x

Site Recovery Manager 8.x

VMware Live Recovery 9.x

Cause

• Upgrade vSphere Replication version from 8.7 to version 9.0.2 is not possible due to a known issue mentioned in the 9.0 release notes refer, VMware vSphere Replication 9.0.
• Upgradation of SRM version from 8.7 to 9.0.2 is also not possible due to the same known issue, VMware Site Recovery Manager 8.8.0.1 Release Notes

Resolution

Please follow the below steps to upgrade,

Note: Please capture snapshots before upgrade, also after successful upgrade.

• Attach ISO and perform upgradation for vSphere Replication appliance from 8.7 to 8.8.0.3 on protected site.
• Reconfigure Appliance post upgrade.
• Once upgraded to 8.8.x, perform upgradation of the SRM/ vSphere replication appliance to 9.0.2 and re-configure post upgrade.
  
  
  
  
• Perform similar steps as above for Recovery site vSphere replication appliance.
• Reconnect pairs from DR UI page.