In some cases ESX Server has been known to produce what many call a PSOD, or Purple Screen of Death. Other terms you might hear for the same thing might be:
These are all valid descriptions for what is more accurately known as a Machine Code Exceptions, which are described in detail in the Knowledge Base article:
We suggest you start with this KB article should you encounter one of these crash reports on your ESX host.
Rick Blythe
Social Media Specialist
VMware Inc.
