Failed to start installation: filename var/db/payloads/boot/useropts not found Error while installing a vib on ESXi

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

• ESXi has been recently patched to ESXi.
• Installing a vib or applying a component fails with this error:
  [InstallationError] Failed to start installation: "filename 'var/db/payloads/boot/useropts' not found
• useropts.gz file is missing from the path /bootbank/basemisc.tgz:
  
  
  
• There has been another installation of vib/component on the ESXi host after running the update command and then performed the reboot.

Environment

• VMware vSphere ESXi 8.0.X
• VMware vSphere ESXi 7.0.X

Cause

• ESXi hosts must be rebooted after 'update' command is executed on the ESXi host. The Patch is applied only after an update command followed by an immediate reboot on the ESXi host. When there is additional vib/component installation is done on the host before a reboot, the patch update does not get applied to the ESXi host.

Resolution

• To avoid issues in applying the patch update on ESXi host via CLI method, reboot the ESXi host immediately if in the ESXCLI output you see: Reboot Required: true
• Either rollback the ESXi host to previous build and patch again or patch with the newer version following proper method of updating via CLI.
• Reference Document: Upgrade or Update a Host with Image Profiles
• Copy the file /bootbank/basemisc.tgz from a working host and replace the existing file on the broken host and then try the vib removal again.