[Bug 1734150] [NEW] Ubuntu 16.04 cloudimg OVA hangs during boot on VMWare VM with Compatibility > 5.5

[Tuure Laurinolli]

Public bug reported:

OVA used: https://cloud-images.ubuntu.com/xenial/current/xenial-server-
cloudimg-amd64.ova

Created a new VM using vSphere 6.5.0 Flash client and Deploy OVF
functionality. Target host is VMware ESXi, 6.5.0, 5969303, managed
through the vSphere.

When initially created, the VM was created with ESXi Compatibility
version 5.5 (VMWare HW version 10). I later upgraded the VM to ESXi
Compatibility 6.0 (VMWare HW version 11), after which it hung up during
the boot process (see attached screenshot).

I then attached a serial port to the VM to get kernel logs during boot.
With a serial port attached, the boot process no longer hangs. Removing
the serial port reproduces the issue, and adding it back resolves it
again.

The issue also reproduces with ESXi Compatibility 6.5 (VMWare HW version
13).

Is there some way to get

** Affects: initramfs-tools (Ubuntu)
     Importance: Undecided
         Status: New

** Attachment added: "Screenshot of hung boot"
   https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1734150/+attachment/5013660/+files/xenial.png

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1734150

Title:
  Ubuntu 16.04 cloudimg OVA hangs during boot on VMWare VM with
  Compatibility > 5.5

Status in initramfs-tools package in Ubuntu:
  New

Bug description:
  OVA used: https://cloud-images.ubuntu.com/xenial/current/xenial-
  server-cloudimg-amd64.ova

  Created a new VM using vSphere 6.5.0 Flash client and Deploy OVF
  functionality. Target host is VMware ESXi, 6.5.0, 5969303, managed
  through the vSphere.

  When initially created, the VM was created with ESXi Compatibility
  version 5.5 (VMWare HW version 10). I later upgraded the VM to ESXi
  Compatibility 6.0 (VMWare HW version 11), after which it hung up
  during the boot process (see attached screenshot).

  I then attached a serial port to the VM to get kernel logs during
  boot. With a serial port attached, the boot process no longer hangs.
  Removing the serial port reproduces the issue, and adding it back
  resolves it again.

  The issue also reproduces with ESXi Compatibility 6.5 (VMWare HW
  version 13).

  Is there some way to get

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