Unable to load VMXNET3 driver when booting from SDR media on ESXi 7.0 or later virtual machine.

Problem

Unable to load VMXNET3 driver when booting from SDR media on ESXi 7.0 or later virtual machine. (See Figure 1) Even if attempting to manually add VMXNET3 driver while creating a new SDR media, unable to add it due to Figure 2. (See Figure 2)

Error Message

Could not find a network adapter or the driver for the available network adapter is not installed properly. To install the driver, use the Load a Driver utility available under the Utilities tab.

Figure 1

A newer or same version of this driver already exists in the database or discrepancy list.

Figure 2

Cause

The SDR image has the old version of VMXNET3 driver by default. The old version of the driver is not loaded on ESXi 7.0 or later virtual machine with VMXNET3 network adapter. This issue never happens on ESXi 6.7 or earlier. The old VMXNET3 driver is successfully loaded on ESXi 6.7 or earlier virtual machine with VMXNET3 network adapter.

Solution

This issue is resolved in Backup Exec 24

Note: Recreate the SDR ISO media post upgrade.

If your Backup Exec version is Backup Exec 22 or earlier, upgrade to Backup Exec 22.1 or 22.2. Create a SDR media again. The SDR media can load the VMXNET3 driver on ESXi 7.0 virtual machines.

If your Backup Exec version is Backup Exec 23 or later, perform the below workaround. 

WORKAROUND:

Manually add VMXNET3 driver files to the SDR image with the below steps when creating the SDR image.

1. Copy VMXNET3 driver files from the source to the destination in the Backup Exec server.

<Copy source>
VMXNET3 driver file location for ESX 7.0 or later virtual machine where VMXNET3 driver is installed:
  C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\vmxnet3.inf_amd64_xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx\*.* 

<Copy destination>
VMXNET3 driver file location in the Backup Exec server:
  C:\Program Files\Veritas\Backup Exec\sdr\Drivers\NetworkDrivers\VMWARE.VMXNET3\WIN2K_X64

2. Create a SDR media.

3. Boot from the created SDR.