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VMware ESXi 7.0 Update 3 on Intel NUC

VMware vSphere ESXi 7.0 Update 3 has been released in October and before you start to deploy it to production, you want to evaluate it in your testing environment or homelab. If you have Intel NUCs or similar hardware you should be very careful when updating to new ESXi releases as there might be issues. Please always keep in mind that this is not an officially supported platform and there might be compatibility issues.

In vSphere 7.0, there are ups and downs with consumer-grade network adapters. Since the deprecation of VMKlinux drivers, there is no option to use Realtek-based NICs, and previous versions had problems with the ne1000 driver. Luckily there is the great Community Networking Driver for ESXi Fling that adds support for a bunch of network cards and VMKUSB-NIC-FLING always covers your back.

I've updated my NUC portfolio to check which NUCs are safe to update and what considerations you have to take before installing the update. Additionally, I'm taking a look at the consequences of the recently deprecated USB/SD-Card usage for ESXi Installations and some general Issues in 7.0u3.

ESXi 7.0 Update 3 with Community Network Driver (8th Gen Bean Canyon / 11th Gen NUC)

The ne1000 driver packed in 7.0 Update 3 still does not work with the Intel I219-V (6) network adapter, which is used in the 8th Gen Bean Canyon NUCs. But this problem can be easily solved with the Fling Driver. For reference, these are the ne1000 drivers versions used in 7.0 releases:

ne1000 0.8.4-10vmw.700.1.0.15843807 <- ESXi 7.0 GA
ne1000 0.8.4-11vmw.701.0.0.16850804 <- ESXi 7.0 Update 1
ne1000 0.8.4-11vmw.702.0.0.17630552 <- ESXi 7.0 Update 2
ne1000 0.8.4-11vmw.703.0.0.18644231 <- ESXi 7.0 Update 3

For the following NUCs, the Fling driver is required:

  • NUC8i7BEH/NUC8i7BEK (Intel Core i7-8559U - 4 Core, up to 4.5 GHz)
  • NUC8i5BEH/NUC8i5BEK (Intel Core i5-8259U - 4 Core, up to 3.8 GHz)
  • NUC8i3BEH/NUC8i3BEK (Intel Core i3-8109U - 2 Core, up to 3.6 GHz)
  • 11th Gen NUC (NUC11PAQi7, NUC11PAHi7, NUC11PAKi7, NUC11PAQi5, NUC11PAHi5, NUC11PAKi5, NUC11PAHi3, NUC11PAKi3, NUC11TNHv70L, NUC11TNHv7, NUC11TNHv50L, NUC11TNHv5, NUC11TNKv7, NUC11TNKv5, NUC11TNHi70Q, NUC11TNHi70L, NUC11TNHi7, NUC11TNHi50W, NUC11TNHi50L, NUC11TNHi5, NUC11TNHi30P, NUC11TNHi30L, NUC11TNHi3, NUC11TNKi7, NUC11TNKi5, NUC11TNKi3)
  • Any NUC-Style alternative with 11th Gen Intel CPU and 2.5GBps Network Adapter (Eg. ASRock Industrial NUC 1100)

Download the Update Bundle and Fling:

New Installation
If you want to do a fresh install of ESXi 7.0 U3, you have to create a custom image, including the Community Driver.

Use the following PowerShell commands to add the community driver to the stock image.

Add-EsxSoftwareDepot .\VMware-ESXi-7.0U3-18644231-depot.zip
Add-EsxSoftwareDepot .\Net-Community-Driver_1.2.2.0-1vmw.700.1.0.15843807_18835109.zip
New-EsxImageProfile -CloneProfile "ESXi-7.0U3-18644231-standard" -name "ESXi-7.0U3-18644231-NUC" -Vendor "virten.net"
Add-EsxSoftwarePackage -ImageProfile "ESXi-7.0U3-18644231-NUC" -SoftwarePackage "net-community"
Export-ESXImageProfile -ImageProfile "ESXi-7.0U3-18644231-NUC" -ExportToISO -filepath ESXi-7.0U3-18644231-NUC.iso

Use the ESXi-7.0U3-18644231-NUC.iso image to install ESXi 7.0 U3 on your NUC. (Create a Bootable ESXi Installer USB Flash Drive

Update
If you've already installed ESXi, use the following commands to create an update bundle that contains the required package.

Add-EsxSoftwareDepot .\VMware-ESXi-7.0U3-18644231-depot.zip
Add-EsxSoftwareDepot .\Net-Community-Driver_1.2.2.0-1vmw.700.1.0.15843807_18835109.zip
New-EsxImageProfile -CloneProfile "ESXi-7.0U3-18644231-standard" -name "ESXi-7.0U3-18644231-NUC" -Vendor "virten.net"
Add-EsxSoftwarePackage -ImageProfile "ESXi-7.0U3-18644231-NUC" -SoftwarePackage "net-community"
Export-ESXImageProfile -ImageProfile "ESXi-7.0U3-18644231-NUC" -ExportToBundle -filepath ESXi-7.0U3-18644231-NUC.zip

Use ESXi-7.0U3-18644231-NUC.zip to update ESXi 7.0 U3:

# esxcli software vib install -d /path/ESXi-7.0U3-18644231-NUC.zip

 

ESXi 7.0 Update 3 on any other Intel NUC

Any other NUC, down to the 5th Gen can be installed and upgraded with the original image.

VMware vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) 7.0U3 [Release Notes] [Download]

ESXi 7.0 Update 3 with VMKUSB-NIC-FLING

If you want to use USB-based network adapters, you can use the VMKUSB-NIC-FLING.

Download the Update Bundle and Fling:

Create ISO and Update Bundle

Add-EsxSoftwareDepot .\VMware-ESXi-7.0U3-18644231-depot.zip
Add-EsxSoftwareDepot .\ESXi703-VMKUSB-NIC-FLING-51233328-component-18902399.zip
New-EsxImageProfile -CloneProfile "ESXi-7.0U3-18644231-standard" -name "ESXi-7.0U3-USBNIC" -Vendor "virten.net"
Add-EsxSoftwarePackage -ImageProfile "ESXi-7.0U3-USBNIC" -SoftwarePackage "vmkusb-nic-fling"
Export-ESXImageProfile -ImageProfile "ESXi-7.0U3-USBNIC" -ExportToIso -filepath ESXi-7.0U3-USBNIC.iso
Export-ESXImageProfile -ImageProfile "ESXi-7.0U3-USBNIC" -ExportToBundle -filepath ESXi-7.0U3-USBNIC.zip

You should now have two files, an .ISO for new installation and a .ZIP for updates.

Alternative Update Option for Installations with VMKUSB-NIC-FLING

If you try to update existing installations directly using original bundles, the update fails with the following error message.

[root@esx4:~] esxcli software vib install -d /vmfs/volumes/images/VMware/Fling/ESXi703-VMKUSB-NIC-FLING-51233328-component-18902399.zip
 [DependencyError]
 VIB VMW_bootbank_vmkusb-nic-fling_1.8-3vmw.703.0.15.51233328 requires vmkapi_2_9_0_0, but the requirement cannot be satisfied within the ImageProfile.
 VIB VMW_bootbank_vmkusb-nic-fling_1.8-3vmw.703.0.15.51233328 requires vmkapi_incompat_2_9_0_0, but the requirement cannot be satisfied within the ImageProfile.
 Please refer to the log file for more details.
[root@esx4:~] esxcli software vib install -d /vmfs/volumes/images/VMware/vSphere\ 7.0/VMware-ESXi-7.0U3a-18825058-depot.zip
 [DependencyError]
 VIB VMW_bootbank_vmkusb-nic-fling_1.8-3vmw.702.0.20.47140841 requires vmkapi_incompat_2_8_0_0, but the requirement cannot be satisfied within the ImageProfile.
 Please refer to the log file for more details.

The solution is quite simple. You first have to remove the Fling from the Rebooting Image and then install the Update and new driver.

  1. Place the Host into Maintenance Mode
  2. Remove the Fling. Depending on how you've installed it, one of the following commands will remove it:
    # esxcli software vib remove -n vmkusb-nic-fling
    # esxcli software component remove -n VMware-vmkusb-nic-fling
  3. Install the ESXi Update (Remember to always use the full path when installing bundles with esxcli. A relative path does not work!)
    # esxcli software vib install -d /[PATH]/VMware-ESXi-7.0U3a-18825058-depot.zip
  4. Install VMKUSB-NIC-FLING
    # esxcli software component apply -d /[PATH]/ESXi703-VMKUSB-NIC-FLING-51233328-component-18902399.zip
  5. Reboot ESXi

ESXi 7.0 Update 3 and the deprecation of SD card/USB as a boot device

For production environments, you have to consider moving away from SD cards and USB drives as boot devices for ESXi. They still work in ESXi 7.0 but VMware has announced that they will no longer be supported in future versions.

As of today, and for Home Labs, especially with U3 - It is perfectly fine to go on with USB drives.

Official KB: Removal of SD card/USB as a standalone boot device option (85685)

 

ESXi 7.0 Update 3 Critical Known Issues and Workarounds

Since the release of ESXi 7.0 Update 3, a couple of critical issues have been identified.

  • Possible PSOD when virtual machines on a VMFS6 thin disk execute UNMAP/TRIM functions. - Solved in 7.0 U3a
  • Network Driver Name changed from i40enu to i40en - Workaround available: KB85982
  • VAMI Backup Error due to default behavior for FIPS compliance changed - Workaround available: KB86069
  • vSphere HA Issues on Upgraded Hosts - Workaround available: KB86191

See: KB86287

31 thoughts on “VMware ESXi 7.0 Update 3 on Intel NUC”

  1. Thanks for the article but I need more details on how to use those provided PowerShell commands to add the community driver to the stock image. Any additional help is greatly appreciated.

  2. Now that VMWare has removed ESXI 7.0 v3, VMware-ESXi-7.0U3-18644231-depot.zip is no longer available. Can you update this with the remaining version 2a? Thanks

    1. This post is solely on ESXi 7.0u3 support (Wich will be back eventually). You can just use the same commands with older bundles.

  3. I tried to update from ESXi-7.0U2a-17867351 to ESXi-7.0U3c-19193900 but receiving the following error:

    [InstallationError]
    ESXi Base Image of version 7.0.3-0.20.19193900 is not found. Please use a depot with complete metadata to upgrade. Please refer to the log file for more details.

    Is there some step I missed?

      1. I have the same problem. Did you work this out?
        Followed all the instructions. Already installed another host with an ISO from the same process, but cannot update an existing host on 7.02.

        1. You have to give the path of the downloaded bundle as well:
          esxcli software vib install -d /vmfs/volumes/datastore1/esxi_update/ESXi-7.0U3f-20036589-NUC_Update.zip -d /vmfs/volumes/datastore1/esxi_update/VMware-ESXi-7.0U3f-20036589-depot.zip

          Then it works without a problem. ;)

        2. You have to give the path of the downloaded bundle as well:
          esxcli software vib install -d /vmfs/volumes/datastore1/esxi_update/ESXi-7.0U3f-20036589-NUC_Update.zip -d /vmfs/volumes/datastore1/esxi_update/VMware-ESXi-7.0U3f-20036589-depot.zip

          Then it works without a problem. ;)

  4. Forgive my ignorance, but in my home lab, I have two Intel NUC i7 (NUC10I7FNH1 specifically), that have ESXi 6.7 u3 on them. I also use a USB-C to Ethernet adaptor. Can I upgrade to 7.0u3c without having to add the fling driver or customize the package? or will I still need to do this anyway to support the USB-C NIC? Any help would be appreciated! I don't want to start down the upgrade path until I know it'll work. Thanks in advance for your help!

  5. I’m just starting to build my first esxi box, have no infrastructure currently running, its a gen11 NUC. Is there anywhere I can download a pre baked iso of esxi with the fling drivers included? Everything I can find is instructions requiring something already running. Is there anywhere an iso may be shared and available to try?

    Thanks!

  6. I am curious to see that the custom iso is updated using Powershell, and that equivalent instructions for using linux do not appear to be available. Why is that, do you know? I would have thought modifying an iso in linux would be simple.
    Do you know of any issues with gen11 NUC and 7U3d currently available?
    Also, does esxi detect the wifi natively, or are drivers available for it as above, or no wifi available?

    Many thanks

  7. When using the newest version of 7.0U3 I get this error repeatedly. I also tried updating the system after installing 7.0U2 but after rebooting the fling driver was gone, so no network.

    PS C:\esx> Export-ESXImageProfile -ImageProfile "ESXi-7.0U3-USBNIC-d" -ExportToIso -filepath ESXi-7.0U3-USBNIC.iso
    Export-ESXImageProfile : Error retrieving file for VIB
    'VMW_bootbank_vmkusb-nic-fling_1.8-3vmw.703.0.15.51233328': ("", "Error opening file object for VIB
    'VMW_bootbank_vmkusb-nic-fling_1.8-3vmw.703.0.15.51233328': Expected value '[]' for attribute 'swplatforms', but
    found value '[]'.").
    In Zeile:1 Zeichen:1
    + Export-ESXImageProfile -ImageProfile "ESXi-7.0U3-USBNIC-d" -ExportToI ...
    + ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    + CategoryInfo : NotSpecified: (:) [Export-EsxImageProfile], SoapException
    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : System.Web.Services.Protocols.SoapException,VMware.ImageBuilder.Commands.ExportProf
    ile

    Is this a version mismatch between ESX and fling?

  8. Hi there,

    it seems that the page fpr the Community Networking Driver for ESXi Fling is down. Do you have an idea where ic can dowbload the driver?

  9. I am getting an error once the ESXi 7 installer starts
    "shutting down firmware services
    'simple offset' uefi rts mapping policy
    locating modules and starting up the kernel"

    at that point it reboots the NUC8i7BEH. have tried a few different older versions with essentially the same. I found an article that said the SD card reader caused issues for the NICs in linux based OS' so disabled that which did not fix the issue. I've updated it to the newest BIOS 089 and still no joy.

    any thoughts would be appreciated. I've reset all the BIOS settings to the recommended.

  10. The onboard network is now working on NUC8i5BEH without extra drivers. I was running 6.7u3 (20497097) on my NUC and was considering a move away to Proxmox. I read here (https://flings.vmware.com/community-networking-driver-for-esxi#requirements) the driver is now included by default in ESXi 7.0u3f onwards. I decided to give it a try and downloaded the latest 7.0u3g offline bundle and uploaded it to my NUC datastore and ran:
    esxcli software profile update -p ESXi-7.0U3g-20328353-standard \
    -d

    After a reboot the network was working ok on my NUC8i5BEH. Early days at the moment but pleased so far that it appears to be ok.

    1. Awesome, anyone know if gorite nic lids are compatible with this latest esxi version or it would require additional drivers?

    2. Thanks Mark for your comment, i've successfully upgrade from a custom image ESXi 7.0.1 build to the last stock image of ESXi 7.0.3 build-22348816 (U3o) on an Intel NUC8i5BEK.

  11. I was able to get the last 7.0 U3 USB fling working on a Beelink SER5 AMD Razen 5600H. Most VMware folks are diehard Intel, but bang for the buck AMD is pretty good. I was locked into 6.7 with an RTL8111 drive, but the USB fling has made a path for me to upgrade with a USB NIC.

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