Steps to upgrade HBA firmware and driver of the host :

Before Upgrade:

1) Put the host in maintenance mode

2) SSH the server using putty. Run this command

/usr/lib/vmware/vmkmgmt_keyval/vmkmgmt_keyval –a

Search the output for below mentioned strings

Name: 1

Type: string

Value:

QLogic PCI to Fibre Channel Host Adapter for QLE2460:

FC Firmware version 5.09.00 (9496), Driver version 1.1.7.0

3) We mostly have QLE2460 and QLE2562

Go to this vmware page:

https://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/search.php?
deviceCategory=io&productid=12612&deviceCategory=io&details=1&releases=172&keyword=QLE2
460&deviceTypes=5&page=1&display_interval=500&sortColumn=Partner&sortOrder=Asc

Select ESXi 5.5 U1  FC in keyword enter the name obtained in previous command
Choose from qlogic section and click it (QLE2460) in below example:

This will take you to another page:

Select ESXi 5.5 U1 and follow the link it provides:

Login with your my.vmware.com ID and download the zip file.

4) Extract the zip file.

5) Connect to ESXi host using winscp. Navigate to /var/log/vmware
6) Copy the vib file from extracted zip to this location
 7) Login to server and execute this command to update the firmware:

8) After reboot, verify that the HBA has newer version:

Example:

vhuselkg067.na.corp.cargill.com

Name: 1

Type: string

value:

QLogic PCI to Fibre Channel Host Adapter for QLE2560:

FC Firmware version 5.09.00 (90d5), Driver version 1.1.7.0

After upgrade:

Key Value Instance: vmhba2/qlogic

Listing keys:

Name: ADAPTER

Type: string

value:

QLogic PCI to Fibre Channel Host Adapter for QLE2560:

FC Firmware version 7.04.00 (90d5), Driver version 1.1.39.0

9) Rescan all HBAs and exit maintenance mode