i40en driver remove first then perform update?

[nblr06]

got an esxi host which version is 6.7.0, 13004448.

I'm planning to perform the NIC driver and firmware version update, and the target NIC driver is i40en.

currently this i40en driver version is 1.7.11-1OEM.670.0.0.8169922(vmware certified) and I would like to upgrade to version 1.10.9.0(which is listed on VCG)

the doubt is,

is it mandatory to remove the current driver 1.7.11 first then install new driver(version 1.10.9.0)?

or maybe esxi will utilize the latest driver automatically and keep the old one, therefore uninstalling current driver(1.7.11) isn't necessary?

[Kassadin · Accepted solution]

Firstly upgrade the firmware.

Then use the below command to upgrade driver. It will update old one.

esxcli software vib update -v /path/newdriver.vib

[nblr06]

@Kassadinthanks for the help!

i just did the update job with driver first and then the firmware which is suggested by DELL (for my dell server).

i believer this is the correct sequence.

B.T.W the new vib will replace(remove) the old one, as shown in the installation result from "esxcli software vib install" command.