ESXi 6.7.0 on MacPro 6,1 - Display Issue

[richertai]

Background:

I am installing ESXi 6.7.0 on several MacPro 6,1 machines.

I am able to complete the installation and network configuration at the main screen.  However, I have to jump back and forth between several of these machines to configure each one, or go back and reconfigure something.

I am using a crash cart (Keyboard, 4:3 Monitor) with a VGA to mini-DVI adapter in one of the Thunderbolt 2 ports to work with these.  I am still procuring an HDMI to DVI connector to test whether the HDMI port has the same issue.

Issue:

When I disconnect video from a device, and connect to another, or reconnect to the same device, I see a black screen.  No output from device and monitor goes to sleep. 

No input or mouse movement can cause the display to wake-up.

I have tried this with different displays and all experience the same issue.

I get video if I reboot the device, either by hard reboot or by restarting the machine from muscle-memory (keyboard input is still plug-and-play, it seems).

Is this a known issue with ESXi 6.7 on MacPro 6,1 or is this just an issue with using the Thunderbolt port?

[shyamgopal]

Is there any resolution to this issue. I have the same issue with 6.5U3 / 6.7U3 / 7.0.

[shyamgopal]

Here is a solution. adding it in here so that future travelers along this path will see it.

The display card on the MacPro shuts down if no display is connected to it. My Guess is that this is because the ESXi display driver does not fully "understand" the display adapter etc.

The solution is to ensure that even is no display is connected, make the esxi think that there is a display. For this you need a $2 worth display "simulator". You can find it on Amazon, look for "HDMI Dummy Plug Display Emulator for Headless PC 4096x2160@60Hz, 4K Virtual Screen"

This works like a charm. You can unplug or plugin your display at will as long as you have this Dummy HDMI plug connected.

-Shyam