I finally managed to get the driver "hpvsa-5.5.0-88" working on ESXi 6.5 by taking these steps (in maintenance mode):
[1] Remove the current driver:
[root@esxi01:/var/log/vmware] esxcli software vib remove -n scsi-hpvsa -f
Removal Result
Message: The update completed successfully, but the system needs to be rebooted for the changes to be effective.
Reboot Required: true
VIBs Installed:
VIBs Removed: HPE_bootbank_scsi-hpvsa_5.5.0.102-1OEM.550.0.0.1331820
VIBs Skipped:
[2] Install the hpvsa-5.5.0-88-driver instead:
[root@esxi01:/var/log/vmware] esxcli software vib install --viburl=/vmfs/volumes/datastore1/VIBs/scsi-hpvsa-5.5.0-88OEM.550.0.0.1331820.x86_64.vib
Installation Result
Message: The update completed successfully, but the system needs to be rebooted for the changes to be effective.
Reboot Required: true
VIBs Installed: Hewlett-Packard_bootbank_scsi-hpvsa_5.5.0-88OEM.550.0.0.1331820
VIBs Removed:
VIBs Skipped:
[3] Disable fallback on AHCI-driver:
[root@esxi01:/var/log/vmware] esxcli system module set --enabled=false --module=vmw_ahci
[4] Reboot and exit maintenance mode.
References:
http://homeservershow.com/forums/index.php?/topic/11872-esxi-65-b120i-hpvsa-hp-microserver-gen8-low-...
http://homeservershow.com/forums/index.php?/topic/9602-esxi-notes/
Now provisioning a new VM with "salt-cloud" (SaltStack) has given me a speed-boost of app. 3x !!
