How to Verify ESXi Host Compatibility for VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) 9.1

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

This article provides guidance on verifying ESXi host compatibility for VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) 9.1. When deploying or upgrading a VCF 9.1 environment, it is essential to confirm that ESXi-related hardware, firmware, and drivers are compliant with VCF 9.1 specifications to ensure infrastructure stability and performance.

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi

Resolution

Verification Steps:

1. Verify Server Model and BIOS Compatibility: Check the Broadcom Compatibility Guide to ensure the server model and BIOS version are certified for VCF 9.1.

   • Link: Broadcom Compatibility Guide - Server

2. Verify Network and HBA Card Compatibility: Check the compatibility of Network Interface Cards (NICs) and Host Bus Adapters (HBAs).

   • Link: Broadcom Compatibility Guide - I/O Devices

   Hardware Identification Methods: To identify specific hardware details on the host, use the following commands:

   • HBA Identification: esxcli storage core adapter list
   • Network Card Identification: esxcli network nic list

3. vSAN Compatibility:

   • vSAN ESA: It is strongly recommended to use vSAN ESA Ready Nodes.
     • Compatibility Search: vSAN ESA Compatibility Guide
     • Hardware Guidance: vSAN ESA ReadyNode Hardware Guidance
   • vSAN OSA: It is recommended to use vSAN Ready Nodes. If the server is not certified as a vSAN Ready Node, you must individually verify the compatibility of the following components:
     • vSAN I/O Controller: Search Link
     • vSAN HDD: Search Link
     • vSAN SSD: Search Link

Additional Information

• For detailed driver/firmware verification, refer to KB 323110: Determining Network/Storage firmware and driver version in ESXi.
• For advanced automation of hardware audits, refer to KB 369320: Shell script to get HBA/NIC firmware/driver versions and HCL links for ESXi.