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Quick Tip - Automating cpuUniformityHardCheckPanic configuration for ESXi Kickstart with USB

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To prevent ESXi from PSOD'ing when an Intel Hybrid Consumer CPU is detected with non-uniform capabilities, a workaround can be applied to ignore the uniformity miss-match which is needed before the ESXi installer fully boots up and also after the initial reboot.

For those looking to fully automate this process using ESXi Kickstart using USB as an example, there are two places where the kernel boot option must be added:

1) The first is the EFI\boot\boot.cfg file on the ESXi installer media (e.g. USB) where you will append to the kernelopt line as shown in the snippet below:

bootstate=0
title=Loading ESXi installer
timeout=5
prefix=
kernel=/b.b00
kernelopt=ks=usb:/KS.CFG cpuUniformityHardCheckPanic=FALSE
.....

2) The second must be added to the %post section of your ESXi kickstart, which will update the first ESXi bootbank's boot.cfg and ensure the kernel option is passed to ESXi when it reboots after installation:

%post --interpreter=busybox

sed -i '/^kernelopt=/ s/$/ cpuUniformityHardCheckPanic=FALSE/' /vmfs/volumes/BOOTBANK1/boot.cfg

Useful Links for VMware by Broadcom Day 2 Transition

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While today, May 6th, 2024 marks the completion of the "Day 2" transition where VMware's backend system has been migrated to Broadcom's backend system, it may still take a few days for all the new systems to fully settle with such a large migration project. There are also some planned post-Day 2 updates that are still pending for some web properties, so you may see additional updates towards end of the week as well.

With a large number of VMware web properties changing including some being retired and/or kept exactly the same, I have been collecting various links that customers, partners and employees may find useful. I will continue to make updates to this page as new or updated information is provided, so be sure to bookmark to stay up to date.

I have also recently published these follow-up blog posts that users might find useful as well:

Note: Some downloads will require an active entitlement while others may not. You can check back later this week as I know not all downloads may be showing up immediately.

Change Log:

  • 12/04/24 - Added link for downloading VCF Holodeck Toolkit
  • 12/02/24 - Added links for new vSphere Health Analyzer (vHA)
  • 10/31/24 - Added updated links for ConfigMax, Interop Matrix, TechZone & VMware HCL
  • 05/30/24 - Added new Partner Portal link
  • 05/28/24 - Added VMware Product Guide replacement
  • 05/23/24 - Added GCA contact form
  • 05/21/24 - Added link to SiteID request tool
  • 05/11/24 - Added link to VMware Marketplace
  • 05/09/24 - Added updated Horizon Client download links
  • 05/08/24 - Added Per-Division Security Advisory links
  • 05/07/24 - Add Patch download links

Updated Websites:

Existing Websites (No Changes for now):

Support my fundraising for Tour de Cure 2024

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It has been a LONG time since I have done any serious cycling, especially with two younger kids, I no longer have the luxury of riding for hours across the beautiful trails in the bay area. With that said, I have always had an itch to get back to some riding, mostly for recreational purposes, which is actually how my cycling journey began.

I recently came to learn that our VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) product leader, Paul Turner, is participating in an upcoming Northern California Tour de Cure to fundraise for the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and a VMware team had also been setup. At first, I was just planning to donate to this awesome cause, but then I realize this might be a good reason for me to get back into "some" cycling and I have decided to join team VMware!

I was also reminded that 10 years ago, I did my first (and last) century ride (100 miles) in the 2014 Waves to Wine for the National MS Society and many of my colleagues and readers had supported me in that cause and together, we raised over $6,200!

For the 2024 Tour de Cure fundraiser, I have set a slightly loftier goal to raise for the American Diabetes Association and I would like to ask for your support in helping me reach my goal by donating to this cause:

For those that donate, please check whether your employer provides any type of charitable matches, which would make your donations go even further! In fact, for any VMware employees who donate, I recently learned that we have a matching program up to $5K for 2024 and you an request a match going to the CyberGrants tile internally within our self-service application web portal to apply for a match for this or any other charitable donation you have made.

Thank you in advance to everyone who donates and if you are in the Northern Bay Area, feel free to join Team VMware and I will definitely be sporting my VMware Cycling Kit! 🚵