ESXi 8.x host fails to boot from SAN with "Error 6 (Buffer too small)"

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:

• Newly installation of ESXi 8.x will be successful but during the first boot ESXi fails to load with "Error 6 (Buffer too small)"
• You may see errors similar to :

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi 8.x

Cause

• This issue can occur when there is a Defective Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) Module in the SAN network.

Resolution

• Engage the respective hardware vendor to investigate the SFP modules.