PowerEdge: Running Dell System Update 2.0.0 for ESXi results in "Inventory file not found: inv.xml" error

Summary: Dell System Update (DSU) 2.0.0 for VMware ESXi fails with "Inventory file not found" error if the "--use-idrac-passthrough" option is not specified at launch.

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Symptoms

The following error occurs during the inventory stage when running Dell System Update (DSU) 2.0.0 for VMware ESXi:

Inventory file not found - /scratch/opt/dell/dell_dup/inv.xml
Progress report is available at:/scratch/opt/dell/dell_dup/DSU_STATUS.json
Exiting DSU!

Cause

This is caused by DSU trying to run the Inventory Collector module which itself is not supported on VMware ESXi. DSU 2.0.0 for ESXi must always be run in "passthough" mode which collects firmware inventory directly from the iDRAC instead of the Inventory Collector module running on the operating system.

Resolution

When running any DSU method on a VMware ESXi host either in the local console, over SSH, or remotely from another DSU instance, always add the following command-line options: 
--use-idrac-passthrough --source-type=REPOSITORY
 

Affected Products

Dell System Update, VMware ESXi 7.x, VMware ESXi 8.x

Products

C Series, Modular Infrastructure, Rack Servers, Tower Servers, XE Servers, XR Servers
Article Properties
Article Number: 000205742
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 21 Apr 2025
Version:  2
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