ESXi host fails to boot with the error message "Boot Failed: VMware ESXi"

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

• ESXi host fails to boot after a power cycle, and the DCUI displays "boot device not found" errors
  
• Server fails to locate the ESXi installation.
• The BOSS (Boot Optimized Storage Solution) controller is missing from the iDRAC "Controllers" inventory.

Environment

• VMware ESXi 9.x
• VMware ESXi 8.x
• VMware ESXi 7.x

Cause

Physical hardware failure of the BOSS controller card is preventing the system BIOS from accessing the boot volume.

Resolution

1. Log in to the iDRAC web interface and navigate to Storage > Controllers to verify if the BOSS card is detected.
2. Perform a "Cold Boot" (Power Off, wait 30 seconds, and Power On) via iDRAC.
3. If the controller remains missing, contact the hardware vendor (Dell) for further investigation.

Additional Information

Hardware issues in iDRAC must be resolved at the hardware/firmware layer. This issue is also observable on hardware from other vendors.