RecoverPoint for VM: ESXi Splitter VIB installation and start-up issues with on ESXi host: Error in running [/etc/init.d/rp-splitterd start install]: Return code: 1

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

• Manual install of RecoverPoint VIB fails with the below error:
  

   [LiveInstallationError]
 EMC_bootbank_RP-Splitter_RPESX-00.5.3.4.1.0.m.184.000: Error in running [/etc/init.d/rp-splitterd start install]:
 Return code: 1
 Output: Tue Jul 29 13:04:12 UTC 2025: rp_splitterd: Starting rp_splitter
[timestamp]: rp_splitterd: DEBUG (notice true==0): isKdriverRunning=1, isSplitterRunning=1
[timestamp]: rp_splitterd: recover_point_group already exists, proceeding...
.........
vmkmod: VMKMod_Load: VMKMod_MMapModule(/usr/lib/vmware/vmkmod/esx_splitter): Failure
 Cannot load module esx_splitter: Failure
[timestamp]: rp_splitterd: start_kdriver_from_boot.sh Failed to execute. failing service.

   It is not safe to continue. Please reboot the host immediately to discard the unfinished update.
      cause = ('N/A', 'rp-splitterd', 'Error in running [/etc/init.d/rp-splitterd start install]:\nReturn code: 1\nOutput: Tue Jul 29 13:04:12 UTC 2025: rp_splitterd: Starting 
........

• From Dell's RecoverPoint for VMs Deployer, the following errors would be observed for the ESX splitter:
  "could not deploy ESX splitter"

  

• On the vSphere Client, the following error can be seen for the Recover Point VIB installation tasks:
  "An error occurred during host configuration: /usr/sbin/esxupdate returned with exit status: 29."
  

Environment

VMware ESXi 8.x

Dell Recovery Point

Cause

• The Recovery Point's RP-Splitter VIB, fails to install as the "execInstalledOnly" parameter is set to true on the ESXi host:
  
[timestamp] In(182) vmkernel: cpu0:2101955 opID=########Config: 761: "ExecInstalledOnly" = 0, Old Value: 0, (Status: 0x0)[timestamp] In(182) vmkernel: cpu35:2106078)UserMem: 7723: mmap denied: execInstalledOnly is enabled: file '/tmp/esx_splitter' is not installed

• This setting prevents the RP-Splitter (kdriver vib) to install correctly using live installation. RecoverPoint Splitter cannot be installed with VMKernel.Boot.execInstalledOnly set to true.
  
  

Resolution

To resolve this issue change the VMKernel.Boot.execInstalledOnly setting to false:

1. SSH to the ESXi host with issue and run the following command:

   esxcli system settings encryption set --require-exec-installed-only=F

2. Verify the change:

   esxcli system settings encryption get
   
   Output:
   Mode: TPM
Require Executables Only From Installed VIBs: false
Require Secure Boot: true
   Confirm that Require Executables Only From Installed VIB displays false.

3. To save the setting, run the following command:

   /sbin/auto-backup.sh

   The TPM no longer enforces the execInstalledOnly boot option.

4. Reboot the ESXi host.

Run the Recover Point VIB installation again.

 

Note: Sometimes the value is set to false by checking it from the CLI steps above. However from vSphere UI, the value is set to true from below field, the value must be modified from UI as well followed by ESXi reboot

1. In the vCenter GUI, change the VMKernel.Boot.execInstalledOnly setting to false

   1. Navigate to the host object -> Configure Tab -> Advanced Settings

   2. Click the Edit button in the upper right

   3. Update the VMKernel.Boot.execInstalledOnly value to 'false'

    The TPM no longer enforces the execInstalledOnly boot option. 

2. Reboot the ESXi host.

Run the Recover Point VIB installation again.

Additional Information

Dell KB: RecoverPoint for VM: ESXi Splitter VIB installation and start-up issues with on ESXi host 

Note: Ensure that the Lockdown mode is disabled temporarily (if present) during the installation of RecoverPoint Splitter VIB.