PowerMax, VMAX AFA, VMAX3: Emulex Driver version 12.8.317.0 has issues connecting to arrays

After updating Emulex drivers to either version 12.8.317.0 or 12.8.351.29 on ESXi 6.5 or 6.7, users report loss of connection to their arrays.

Emulex driver versions 12.8.317.0 and 12.8.351.29 for ESXi 6.5 and 6.7 are setting writeXferRdyDis irrespective of lpfc_first_burst_enable parameter. Dell Storage rejecting PRLI because B_WR_XFR_RDY_DISABLE is enabled.

The user can choose from one of the following fixes:

1. A fix from Emulex is in the Emulex version 12.8.542.25 and later driver for ESXi 6.7. This driver is now available on vmware.com and is expected to be added to an upcoming Dell Customized ESXi 6.7 OS image.
2. A fix from Dell EMC is in 5978.479 and 5978.711 code to accept the PRLI minus the bits we do not support. This fix allows the initiators with Emulex HBAs to log in successfully regardless of which versions of the Emulex or Broadcom driver and firmware are loaded. This fix is expected in an upcoming code release. Customers with ESXi 6.5 must use this fix from Dell EMC or upgrade to ESXi 6.7 to use the Emulex version 12.8.542.25 or later driver.

Affected hardware:
Emulex FC HBAs in ESXi 6.5 or ESXi 6.7 running the Emulex version 12.8.317.0 or 12.8.351.29 driver and connecting to Dell EMC PowerMax, VMAX AFA, VMAX3.

Affected Dell EMC Customized Image of VMware ESXi 6.7 U3:
VMware-VMvisor-Installer-6.7.0.update03-17499825.x86_64-DellEMC_Customized-A10.zip.
This image comes with the new driver version for HBA of 12.8.317.0, which introduces the bit to which the array does not support.

Emulex versions affected:
Emulex driver version 12.8.317.0 or 12.8.351.29 on ESXi 6.5 or ESXi 6.7. This issue does not occur with ESXi 7.0 and later.

Dell EMC Code fix:
Code fix 108267 which allows for bypassing check of the unsupported bit and is in Dell EMC 5978.479 and 5978.711 code.

Emulex fix:
Emulex version 12.8.542.25 and later driver for ESXi 6.7.