Upgrade VIB(s) "loadesx" is required for the transaction.-- Can't upgrade 7.0.3 to recent build

[ANDREW BROCKERHOFF]

[root@esxi:~] esxcli software sources profile list --depot=/vmfs/volumes/
61d4599d-9bd52ea1-288a-0050568f5f83/VMware-ESXi-7.0U3p-23307199-depot.zip
Name                           Vendor        Acceptance Level  Creation Time        Modification Time
-----------------------------  ------------  ----------------  -------------------  -----------------
ESXi-7.0U3p-23307199-standard  VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported  2024-03-05T00:00:00  2024-03-05T00:00:00
ESXi-7.0U3p-23307199-no-tools  VMware, Inc.  PartnerSupported  2024-03-05T00:00:00  2024-02-14T13:03:18
[root@esxi:~] esxcli software profile update \
>     -p ESXi-7.0U3p-23307199-standard \
>     -d https://hostupdate.vmware.com/software/VUM/PRODUCTION/main/vmw-depot-in
dex.xml
 [InstallationError]
 Upgrade VIB(s) "loadesx" is required for the transaction. Please use a depot with a complete set of ESXi VIBs.
 Please refer to the log file for more details.
[root@esxi-01-v11:~]

We've tried to  manually install the loadesx vib as well, but same error.  Has anyone faced this issue when trying to upgrade a stand-alone ESXi host running vSphere 7 std?

[Louis Dang]

You can use vCenter to the update. It will help you solve the problem.

[Martin Timmons]

The OP clearly states that this is a standalone ESXi host - so not connected to a vcenter. 

[ANDREW BROCKERHOFF]

I played some musical chairs with licenses to get a successful upgrade off on these, but odd that even with a manual vib install off a full repo – I still get that error. Seems to be some corruption that happened with a previous upgrade, as I do notice the host profile version was stuck as stating an old 6.7 that we haven't used in quite some time. Not sure, but a fix without vCenter would be nice for someone that is also facing this.

[Louis Dang]

You can still install vcenter and use it to update. After completing, you can delete it