Upgrading ESXi 5.5 U3 to ESXi 6.5

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This article is for how to upgrade a ESXi 5.5 U3 to ESXi 6.5 via update manager.

I know, upgrading a ESXi host via update manager is very easy task but you may face some issues while upgrading due to some incompatible "VIBs". To overcome from this situation, you need to manually remove these VIBs from ESXi host and then proceed further for upgrade. Below is the screenshots of errors.
Below scan result showing compliance status as "Incompatible" not "non-compliant". As per below screenshot, some vibs are conflicting and needs to be removed before upgrade.

"Remove the conflicting VIBs or use Image Builder to create a custom upgrade ISO image that contains the newer versions of the conflicting VIBs, and try to upgrade again."



1. Check the ESXi host hardware compatibility with ESXi 6.5.
2. Download ESXi 6.5 ISO from VMware portal.
3. Upload ISO in update manager.
4. Create a Host upgrade baseline with the ESXi 6.5 ISO.
5. Put ESX host in maintenance mode.
6. Attached host upgrade baseline and scan the ESX host.
7. Compliance status should be "non-compliant" not Incompatible or any other.
8. SSH to ESX host and search for these conflicting VIBs.
9. Run command like below to find the VIBs

The net-qlcnic is the VIB package containing the Qlogic driver.
Now run the following command to check drivers used on your HBA interfaces:
# esxcli storage core adapter list

Looking at the drivers displayed, Qlogic driver is not in use by any HBA adapters.
The net-qlcnic package can be safely removed from the system through the command:
# esxcli software vib remove -n net-qlcnic

Removed other VIBs as well if required as per above process.

To complete the driver removal procedure, you need to reboot the host. 
Once ESX host rebooted and came UP in vCenter. Re-scan with upgrade baseline and compliance status should be "non-compliant" now.


Now, Remediate the ESX host with upgrade baseline. Click on finish.


A Remediate task will start and it will take 15-20 mins at least to successfully upgrade the ESX host to 6.5 version.

 Once the ESX host upgrade, check the ESXi version, upgrade enic and fnic drivers as well and exit from maintenance mode.

 This is a complete process of a ESXi host upgrade !!! Plz share your views and comments.

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