So I downloaded the iso file from vmware.com, burned it onto a cd using ISO Image Recorder and booted from the cd on my computer. I followed all of the installation steps as described in the guide and everything looked just like in the installation guide. When the install was complete, I removed the CD & rebooted the computer. While the direct console was loading, everything seemed to be loading correctly except one message came up that said, "lvm driver failed to load with" (the rest was truncated). Then the regular direct console page loaded but this is what it says in the grey part at the top, "VMware ESX Server 3i 3.5.0 build-103909 Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q9300 @ 2.5 GHz 4 GB Memory", & in the yellow part at the bottom, "Download tools to manage this host from: (STATIC)"
Then I hit F2 and set my root password, but when I went to Configure Management Network, it said, "Hostname: localhost IP Address: 0.0.0.0" When I hit Enter to edit the settings, the only option it gave me was "Restore Network Factory Settings" and to hit F11 (Yes) or Esc (No). When I hit F11, it took me back to the direct console, but nothing changed (even when I rebooted) I also tried Restart Management Network and Test Management Network and nothing changed.
It seems to me that the problem is in the lvm driver failing to load, but I don't know how to fix that. I have rebooted several times, taken the computer off the network and rebooted, put it on a different LAN and rebooted, etc. If I can't get it to connect and assign an IP address, I can't connect to the Server via VI CLient.
I do know that before I installed ESXi, I was able to network and connect to the internet so the problem is not in the network.
Can anyone help me? I need to get this set up and working as soon as possible. Our development is waiting on this.
I can give more information if needed.
Thanks
What type of nic are you using?
Jase McCarty
Co-Author of VMware ESX Essentials in the Virtual Data Center
(ISBN:1420070274) from Auerbach
Umm, not sure. How do I find out?
What type of box is it?
Also, if you want to see the hardware the ESXi has recognized, you'll need a terminal window.
From the main screen, press ALT+F1
Type "unsupported" (no quotes)
Enter the root password
Type "lspci" and it will show you the devices it sees.
So, if you determine the nic type (through system type, or actually looking at the hardware), and then don't see it in the lspci results, it probably isn't supported.
Depending on what you have, there might be a workaround. If there is, it might be difficult, and you end up easier off, by adding a supported nic.
Jase McCarty
Co-Author of VMware ESX Essentials in the Virtual Data Center
(ISBN:1420070274) from Auerbach
The computer is actually a custom built one. The motherboard is an Intel BOXDB33FBC ATX. The computer actually has two NIC's (which I didn't realize before) One is integrated into the motherboard and is an Intel Gigabit Ethernet and there is also a CNET 2000 PRO 10/100 PCI one.
In the lspci screen, it said, "06:02.00 Network Controller: Bridgecom Inc. Network Everywhere Fast Ethernet 10/100 model NC100
Am I right in thinking that part of the trouble is that it doesn't know which NIC to use?
BTW when I pressed Alt-F1, this is what came up (on a black screen with white lettering) before I entered 'unsupported':
"Using /mod/lvmdriver
Linking /bootbank to /vmfs/volumes/90c07379-0092c0cd-45cc-0dbb7ef1f8fa
Linking /altbootbank to /vmfs/volumes/4f4d1f72-172f2375-7c31-79ba11f279c6
Linking /store to /vmfs/volumes/e0a264ee-3bc42168-cdd5-3a5cd7c2a09f
Error running operation: Unable to generate UUID for system
Error running operation: Unable to generate UUID for system\
0
0
0
/scratch is /tmp/scratch
/locker is /store
No swap, increasing host/vim memory
Starting inetd
Starting crond
Running hostd start
Running slpd start
Begin 'hostd ++min=0,swap,group = hostd -a /etc/vmware/hostd/config.xml', min-uptime = 60, max-quick-failures = 5, max-total-failures = 1000000
Starting slpd
Running sfcbd start
Starting sfcbd
Running sfcbd-watchdog start
Running wsmand
Starting openusmand"
It would seem that it is using the incorrect nic.
I forget exactly what the steps are to swap them around... Let me dig a little.
Jase McCarty
Co-Author of VMware ESX Essentials in the Virtual Data Center
(ISBN:1420070274) from Auerbach
Hi,
I am facing the same problem i downloaded the ESXi server and the same problem pops cannot connect to the server and missing lvm driver...
The nic card is working fine with Oracle VM Server....please help ..my server config is AMD 64 bit Dual core processer...it is Dell Dimension C521
thanks,
vmvir
If its using the incorrect nic... what about just disabling the onboard NIC through the BIOs so that the only presentable NIC to the ESXi install is the add-in intel card?
I ran into the exact same issue this week with a Intel DP35P board listed on a whitebox site. I tried Netgear, Linksys, and Dlink cards and none of them worked (all local stores had). Then on another site I found Intel Pro/1000 GT Desktop Adapter cards would work. (I think the MT work as well, but I can't confirm.)
I ordered two of these cards from a online retailer and they work like a champ. Everything booted up and got IP's right away. Set me back $33 each.
Good luck!
What's the PCI ID for the NIC? ESXi has a list of devices that it will recognize and that list can be found here - http://www.vm-help.com/esx/esx3i/Hardware_support.php. Of that list there are devices that are officially supported and work. Second, there are devices that work but are not supported (I use Intel Pro 1000 GT cards that would be in this category). Lastly there are devices that are recognized but don't work. Your Broadcom may be one of those. If you have another Broadcom, Intel or even a 3Com NIC around, they would be worth a try.
I installed ESXi u2 on a dell E510 desktop computer, the onboard intel pro 100/VE didn't work. added a pro 100/s pci card, picked it up no problem. that's the cheapest card for eval.
I have similar problem with the TS, trying to install the esxi 3.5
I am using Intel DQ65JO Mobo which using intel Q35 chipset, the ICH9 sata controller and 82566DM-2 (pci id: 8086 10bd) NIC.sata controller is detected and working fine, esxi installed to the harddrive butalso got message lvmdriver failed to load, and the static IP 0.0.0.0
I saw the 82566DM (w/o 2) is supported in simple map with e1000 driver so I suspect this DM-2 should work with this driver as well butI didn't have a chance yet to try a method that boot from usb flashdriive and modify the oem.tgz since I don't have usb flash drive yet maybe will try this weekend
Oh, and I also try to install in my office pc, this one using G965 chipset which using ICH8 (pci id : 8086 27C0) seems the esxi also unable to detect this ICH8, (its not in the hardware support list)
I haven't had much luck with the 82566DM (on an Intel DP35DP). In my case it wasn't in simple.map and once I added it, it wouldn't load the driver properly. Hopefully you'll make out better.
the intel DP35DP from the spec seems using the 82566DC not the 82566DM, but yeah both are in the hardware support list. Ok will try my luck this weekend but I already prepare 3com nic handy with me in case my onboard nic can't work it
Thanks for the correction. It was the 82566DC.
Where/how do I disable/enable NIC in the BIOS?
I'd give it a try - I usually go with an Intel Pro/1000 GT - here are a few other models that have been tested - http://www.vm-help.com/esx/esx3.5/Whiteboxes_SATA_Controllers_for_ESX_3.5_3i.htm#NICs
Ok Help!!
I do the alt F1 and the unsupported password and lspci
it shows the card in there for the network. I am going to get the intel card soon but I am courious, if its in the list it should work shouldnt it?
So if it works till here? and I am getting just the nic not working? if I get he nic sorted out it will be ok?