IBM system x3850 x5 firmware issue to support 6.0u3 as per VMware HCL

  Hi,

We have IBM System x3850 X5 7143-B2G rack mount servers that we are planning to upgrade to ESXi 6.0u3. The hardware is withdrawn and the firmware listed under the VMware compatibility matrix guide for the I/O devices are not available on the IBM fix central url for the server model.

IBM Fix Central url

https://www-945.ibm.com/support/fixcentral/systemx/selectFixes?parent=System%20x3850%20X5&product=ibm/systemx/7143&&platform=All&function=all#Network

Below are the running devices with drivers and firmware version on the ESXi 6.0u3 and url to the VMware compatability matrix guide

Device: Intel Corporation 82580 Gigabit Network
Driver: igbn
Version: 1.4.1
F/w: 3.19.0

Compatible up to 6.7 U3. The driver is up to date,

https://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/detail.php?deviceCategory=io&productid=19798


Device: Broadcom NetXtreme II BCM5709 1000Base-T Network
Driver: bnx2
Version: 2.2.6b.v60.2
F/w: 7.4.0


Compatible up to 6.7 U3. The driver is up to date. But firmware has to be upgraded to 7.10.

https://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/detail.php?deviceCategory=io&productid=3242


Device: QLogic Corp ISP2532-based 8Gb Fibre Channel to PCI Express HBA
Driver: qlnativefc
Version: 2.1.73.0
F/w: 5.03.06

Compatible up to 6.7 U3. But the Firmware is not matching. It should be 8.08.xx. Also the driver is not up todate. The laest driver is 2.1.94.0-1.

https://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/detail.php?deviceCategory=io&productid=42002

Question: Since the product is withdrawn and the firmware cant be upgraded as per VMware HCL, can it be safe to run the ESXi upgraded and running to 6.0u3 or what should we do?