Получили ответ от Level-3 Support Team:
"
As you elluded to the current/latest UEFI firmware available from IBM WebPortal is v3.10 Build ID D7E172D so this is the version we recommend the server has installed.
I am not familiar with the version VMware are suggesting D7E174BUS-3.20 and VVE172BUS-3.30 and as such is not available for download.
Bottom line is that ESXi 7.0 is not supported on this server and as such no testing has been performed by Lenovo or IBM.
If VMware have chosen to test with this specific UEFI level then maybe the customer should contact VMware support."
Таким образом:
1) Для серверов типа 7914 ESXi 7.0 не входит в список официально поддерживаемых (
https://lenovopress.com/osig#server_families=system-x&servers=x3550-m4-7914-e5-v2&os_families=vmware-esxi&support=all);
2) Самая свежая и рекомендованная производителем прошивка UEFI - 3.10;
3) Упомянутые в VMware Compatibility Guide версии прошивок неизвестны Level-3 Support Team, можно попробовать запросить их у VMware Support.