vmware-hbrsrv package is missing on ESXi host.

Products

• VMware Live Recovery
• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

• The package is observed as missing when checking Inventory > Host > Configure > Packages in the vSphere Client.
• Replication status for the host may show as 'Not Configured' or 'Disconnected' in the Site Recovery UI."

 

Environment

• VMware ESXi 8.x
• VMware Live Site Recovery 8.x

Cause

• The vmware-hbrsrv service VIB was manually removed from the ESXi host.

Resolution

• Prerequisites:
  
  
  • Access to the ESXi host via SSH.
  • The correct version of the `vmware-hbr-agent` VIB corresponding to your ESXi and vSphere Replication version.
    
    
• Procedure
  
  1. Verify VIB Status
  • Connect to the affected ESXi host via SSH and run the following command to confirm the agent's absence:
    

    esxcli software vib list | grep hbrsrv

• • You should see something like the following, if it is installed:
    

    vmware-hbrsrv                  #.#.#-#.########                    VMware  VMwareCertified   2025-09-08    host

     

  • If vmware-hbrsrv is not returned as shown above, the service is missing.
    
    

2. Locate the cached copy of the VIB:

• • The VIB for vmware-hbrsrv should be located in the following location:

/var/vmware/lifecycle/hostSeed/reservedVibs/VMware_bootbank_vmware-hbrsrv_#.#.#-#.#.########.vib

3. Install the VIB:

• • Run the following command:
    
    

    esxcli software vib install -v /var/vmware/lifecycle/hostSeed/reservedVibs/VMware_bootbank_vmware-hbrsrv_#.#.#-#.#.########.vib

4. Verify Installation and Restart Services

• • Confirm the VIB is now present:
    
    

    esxcli software vib list | grep hbrsrv
    

    
    You should see something like the following:
    

    vmware-hbrsrv                  #.#.#-#.########                    VMware  VMwareCertified   2025-09-08    host

    
    
    

• • Verify the Service is running:
    
    

    /etc/init.d/hbrsrv status

     

  • Start the service, if necessary:
    
    

    /etc/init.d/hbrsrv start

5. Refresh UI

• • Navigate to the Site Recovery UI in vSphere Client and verify the host status is now 'Connected' or 'Normal'.