vLCM Image Validation Fails with Addon Incompatibility Error When Upgrading to ESXi 9.1
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vLCM Image Validation Fails with Addon Incompatibility Error When Upgrading to ESXi 9.1

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Article ID: 441837

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Updated On:

Products

VMware SDDC Manager / VCF Installer

Issue/Introduction

When attempting to upgrade a vSphere Lifecycle Manager (vLCM) single image-managed cluster from ESXi 9.0.2 to ESXi 9.1, editing the cluster's draft image fails validation.

The following error and warning banners are displayed in the vSphere Client -> Updates -> Edit Image page:

  • Error: Addon LVO:9.0.1.0-LVO.900.12.4 is incompatible with base image version 9.1.0.0.25370933.

  • Warning: Configuration checks are skipped for the draft image as the image has errors. Address the errors in the draft image and try again.

As a result, the desired ESXi 9.1 image specification cannot be saved, preventing the cluster remediation process.

Cause

This issue occurs because vLCM enforces strict declarative configuration alignment.

When the target ESXi Version is changed to 9.1.0.0, the existing Vendor Addon selection remains set to an older version (e.g., LVO.900.12.4), which was designed only for ESXi 9.0.x. Since the old Lenovo Customization Addon lacks the necessary compatibility definitions for the ESXi 9.1 base image, vLCM blocks the configuration to protect the host from structural driver or management layer mismatch during the upgrade.

Resolution

To resolve this issue, the matching Lenovo Customization Addon designed specifically for ESXi 9.1.0.0 must be downloaded, imported into vCenter, and applied to the cluster image.

Step 1: Download the ESXi 9.1 Lenovo Vendor Addon

  1. Log in to the Broadcom Support Portal.

  2. Navigate to the VMware product downloads section and locate the Lenovo Vendor Addons for ESXi 9.1.

  3. Download the specific offline bundle zip file (e.g., lnv-esx-LVO.910.12.1-20260505-S01-addon.zip).

Step 2: Import the Addon into vCenter Lifecycle Manager

  1. Log in to the vSphere Client.

  2. From the main menu, navigate to Lifecycle Manager.

  3. Under the Actions dropdown menu, select Import Updates.

  4. Browse and upload the downloaded Lenovo .zip addon offline bundle.

  5. Once imported, verify that the new version (e.g., LVO.910.12.1) appears under the Image Depot -> Vendor Add-ons list.

Step 3: Update the Cluster Image Specification

  1. Navigate back to Hosts and Clusters, select the affected cluster, and go to the Updates tab.

  2. Under Hosts -> Image, click Edit Image.

  3. Ensure the ESXi Version is set to 9.1.0.0.25370933.

  4. In the Vendor Addon row, click the Edit (pencil) icon.

  5. Select the newly imported Lenovo Customization Addon for ESXi 9.1.0.0 (Version LVO.910.12.1) from the list.

  6. Click Validate. The incompatibility error and warning banners will disappear.

  7. Click Save to apply the new draft image.

Once successfully saved, perform a Check Compliance on the cluster. The host compliance status will transition to Non-compliant, allowing you to proceed safely with the Remediate (upgrade) process.

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