VMware

VMware ESX 3.5 Driver CD for Sun Blade 6000 Virtualized Multi-Fabric 10GbE NEM

This driver CD release includes support for version 1.2.2.11 of the Sun hxge driver on ESX 3.5. This hxge driver supports the 10GbE network function of Sun Microsystems, the Sun Blade 6000 Virtualized Multi-Fabric 10 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) Network ExpressModule (NEM) (Sun model number: X4238).

For detailed information about ESX hardware compatibility, check the I/O Hardware Compatibility Guide web application.

Last Updated: January 14, 2010

Driver CD for VMware ESX 3.5 Update 4 and Update 5

Driver version: 1.2.2.11 | 2010-01-14 | Build: 205214
Filename: esx350-hxge-1.2.2.11-205214.iso
Md5sum: b6abb47d79a348346ee53af41e39ccb0
Sha1sum: 53e5d65423ff99d867b8737d7d29dd2880afab15

ISO File

Driver CD for VMware ESX 3.5 Update 4

Driver version: 1.2.2.11 | 2009-11-19 | Build: 201363
Filename: esx350-hxge-1.2.2.11-201041.iso
Md5sum: b5538dd83fe61b4d4dffb2e48ff78ed3
Sha1sum: ca3735f2e1139dee77487c70679170238f1c68e7

ISO File

Caution: After installing this driver, exercise caution when upgrading ESX or applying patches.

This document contains the following sections:

Creating the Driver CD

  1. Download the driver file.
  2. Check the md5sum of the downloaded file:
    • For the ESX 3.5 Update 4 and Update 5 drivers, run md5sum esx350-hxge-1.2.2.11-205214.iso
    • For the ESX 3.5 Update 4 driver, run md5sum esx350-hxge-1.2.2.11-201041.iso

    The output should match the folowing:

    • For the ESX 3.5 Update 4 and Update 5: b6abb47d79a348346ee53af41e39ccb0 esx350-hxge-1.2.2.11-205214.iso
    • For the ESX 3.5 Update 4: b5538dd83fe61b4d4dffb2e48ff78ed3 esx350-hxge-1.2.2.11-201041.iso

    See Verifying the integrity of downloaded installer files (KB 1537) for more information.

  3. Write the .iso image to a CD-ROM.
To install ESX, refer the procedure detailed in the following section.

Using the Driver CD

The ESX driver CD allows you to install new or updated drivers on new or existing ESX installations. You can use the driver CD in two different ways:

  • As a boot CD for new ESX 3.5 installations
  • As a driver update CD for existing ESX 3.5 installations

Driver CD as a Boot CD Only

The following procedure describes how to use the driver CD as a boot CD. Use this CD as a boot CD only when the new driver must enable the target device on which ESX 3.5 will be installed.

  1. Place the driver CD in the CD-ROM drive of the host machine.
  2. Start the host machine.
  3. When prompted for an upgrade or installation, press Enter for graphical mode.
  4. Choose the language you prefer.
  5. Select a keyboard type.
  6. After you are prompted to swap the driver CD with the ESX installation CD, insert the ESX 3.5 installation CD and continue with ESX installation.
    For detailed instructions, refer to the VI3 Installation and Upgrade Guide.
  7. After ESX is installed and the system reboots, log in to ESX host machine.
  8. Verify that the driver is installed successfully:
    1. Run the esxupdate query command.
      A message containing the information about the driver appears.
    2. View the PCI ID XML file in the /etc/vmware/pciid/ directory.
      The driver information is available in the file.
    3. Check for the latest version of the driver module in the following directory:
      /usr/lib/vmware/vmkmod/
    4. To verify that the driver is loaded and functioning, enter vmkload_mod -l command.
      The driver is listed in the displayed list.

Driver CD as an Update CD Only

The following procedure describes how to use the driver CD to update or add the driver on an existing ESX 3.5 system (for more information, refer to the Patch Management for ESX Server 3 Tech Note).

  1. Start the ESX host machine and log in to service console as root.
  2. Place the driver CD in the CD-ROM drive of the server.
  3. Mount the driver CD.
  4. Change the directory to the VMupdates/RPMS/ on the driver CD.
  5. Run the esxupdate update command.

    Note: If the hardware is not already installed on the system, run the esxupdate command with the --noreboot option, shut down the host machine manually, install the hardware, and then boot the host machine. This allows you to install in a single boot.

    The server reboots after the driver update.
  6. Remove the driver CD from the CD-ROM drive before the system reboots.
  7. After the system reboots, log in to ESX host.
  8. Verify that the driver is installed successfully:
    1. Run the esxupdate query command and verify that the information about the driver is mentioned in the resulting message.
    2. View the PCI ID XML file in the /etc/vmware/pciid/ directory.
      The driver information is available in the file.
    3. Check for the latest version of the driver module in
      /usr/lib/vmware/vmkmod/
    4. To verify that the driver is loaded and functioning, run the vmkload_mod -l command.
      The driver is listed in the displayed list.