Enabling the MI210 graphics card is failing

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

When enabling the MI210 graphics card for SR-IOV it doesn't allow for the VF devices to be configured for passthrough.

ESXi - /var/run/log/vmkernel.log:

2025-07-17T16:34:06.620Z In(182) vmkernel: cpu0:2097889)gim error libgv: [0:e5:0:0][mi200_fw_compatibility_check:55] Version Compatibility Error: FW 0x7 Ver = 0x8045. Sec Ver = 0xd204032
2025-07-17T16:34:06.620Z In(182) vmkernel: cpu0:2097889)gim error libgv: [0:e5:0:0][PF][psp_v13_hw_init:987] Failed to load FW 0
2025-07-17T16:34:06.620Z In(182) vmkernel: cpu0:2097889)gim info libgv: [0:e5:0:0][amdgv_error_dump_stack:740] put event AMDGV_ERROR_FW_UCODE_LOAD_FAIL, error code: 0x80009005
2025-07-17T16:34:06.620Z In(182) vmkernel: cpu0:2097889)gim info libgv: [amdgv_print_failed_init_name:1307] failed to hw_init of mi200_psp_func
2025-07-17T16:34:06.620Z In(182) vmkernel: cpu0:2097889)gim error libgv: [0:e5:0:0][PF][amdgv_device_func_hw_init:1643] Failed to HW init.

Environment

ESXi 7.0

ESXi 8.0

Cause

Follow the process outlined by AMD for the enablement. If after stepping through the processes the VF devices still aren't being enabled please check the logging on the host.

Resolution

Update the firmware of the card based on hardware vendor recommendations.

Additional Information

AMD Instinct™ MI210 Drivers & Support

AMD - ESXi Driver Install Handbook