Upgrade bundle is not compatible with current VIBs installed on hypervisor [HardwareError] Hardware prechecks of profile XXX_8.0.1-XXX.801.12.1 failed with errors: KB 89424 when using 3rd party LCM

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi
• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

When attempting to upgrade a cluster of ESXi hosts from 7.x to 8.x via 3rd party software/LCM, it errors out on pre-checks stating "upgrade bundle is not compatible with current VIBs installed on hypervisor [HardwareError] Hardware prechecks of profile XXX_8.0.1-XXX.801.12.1 failed with errors:  KB 89424".

Environment

VMware vCenter Server 7.x
VMware vCenter Server 8.x
VMware ESXi 7.x
VMware ESXi 8.x

Cause

Certificate issues on the VCSA and/or ESXi hosts need to be resolved before the upgrade process can continue.

Resolution

Confirm there are no issues, such as expired certificates with the VCSA.  Renew and replace the VCSA certificates as required.

Check the vpxd.certmgmt.mode advance configuration option on the VCSA and make sure it's set to either vmca or custom (thumbprint is depercated).  If changes need to be made to the vpxd.certmgmt.mode setting, you will need to restart the vpxd service.

Check the certificates on each ESXi is valid and showing inside the vCenter GUI when clicking the ESXi host, Configuration, System, Certificate.  If nothing shows you may need to click the "Manage with VMCA" button and then renew.  You may also need to "Refresh CA Certificates" on the "Manage with VMCA" button.