The message "ApeiPageRetire" or "Processing HEST GESB" appears in ESXi host log files

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

In an ESXi host, the log file vmkernel.log has entries containing the text "APEI", "ApeiPageRetire", "Processing HEST GESB", and/or "GEDE section type".

The ESXi host may have gone unresponsive or experienced other problems around the time these entries appear.

Example: 

vmkernel: cpu01:2345678) ApeiPageRetire: 730: Processing HEST GESB, severity 0x2, with 1 GEDE record(s)
vmkernel: cpu01:2345678) APEI: 346: GEDE section type GUID ########-####-####-####-############
vmkernel: cpu01:2345678) APEI: 347: errorSeverity=0x2, revision=0x300, validation=0x0, flags=0x1, dataLength=0xd0, timestamp=0x0
vmkernel: cpu01:2345678) APEI: 355: FRU GUID 00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000, Text ""

Cause

If these messages appear in your host's log file, it indicates a potential problem with the system's hardware that is being reported by the system. The cause of this can range from unrecognized USB devices and temperature alarms to more serious problems such as faulty memory.

Refer to KB 391088: ESXi host encountered PSOD with the error message "Platform firmware has reported a fatal error via APEI"

"APEI (ACPI Platform Error Interface) allows system firmware (BIOS/UEFI) to report hardware or platform errors to the operating system. When ESXi logs an APEI error, it generally indicates a hardware or firmware-related issue, typically involving memory, CPU, PCIe devices, or controllers. This is not an ESXi bug, but rather a notification of an underlying hardware/firmware condition."

Resolution

Use diagnostic tools provided by your hardware vendor such as front panel displays, iDRAC, iLO, POST messages shown on screen during reboot or the BIOS/UEFI setup screen to look for errors.

You can contact your hardware vendor for more information about diagnostic tools that are available for your system.