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TonyJK
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Problem with Windows Update on some VM

Hi,

We are running vSphere 6.0.  We find that for a number of VMs running Windows Server 2012R2.

It is pretty slow to download Windows Update and the update process takes a long time.

Also, when we click "Reboot Server", the Windows Server seems to lose Network Connectivity but it takes a long time before it enters "Reboot" stage.  Not to mention, it takes a long time for preparing Windows Update.

There is sufficient vCPU / RAM and VMDK file space.

Would it be due to the HDD is thin provisioning  (Others with Thin Provisioning are performing good) ?  Is there any clue from VMware point of view ?

Thanks

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Alex_Romeo
Leadership
Leadership

Hi,

A few years ago a situation similar to yours happened to me from a customer.

In that case, I realized that the resources (Ram and Cpu) assigned to the virtual machines were greater than the resources of the ESXi host...they had created too many virtual machines. Non had made the calculation of how much RAM it took when all the VMs were turned on and they weren't enough, so the VMs were very slow.

However, if you write that your resources are good, that's fine.

To understand why, it is necessary to carry out some checks:

  • do you have VMware tools installed in your vm?
  • do you use paravirtualized SCSI adapter with your vm?
  • do you use VMXNET3 NIC? (If yes, try with a VM to set it with the E1000)
  • check "Event View" the virtual machine if there are any alarms or errors imported.

If possible, try to switch off some 2012 vm and see if the other ones improve.

----

http://lifeofageekadmin.com/network-performance-vmxnet3-windows-server-2012-r2/

ARomeo

Blog: https://www.aleadmin.it/
TonyJK
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Hi,

Many thanks for your advice.

Do you have VMware tools installed in your vm?  Yes, up to date.

Do you use paravirtualized SCSI adapter with your vm? Yes

Do you use VMXNET3 NIC? (If yes, try with a VM to set it with the E1000) - I will try and get back to you.

Thanks again

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Alex_Romeo
Leadership
Leadership

Hi,

The network card is very important because with Windows Server 2012R2 VMXNET3 gives several problems.

Let me know. thank you

ARomeo

Blog: https://www.aleadmin.it/
TonyJK
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

It appears that we cannot change the Network Adapter from VMXNET3 to E1000.

We need to create a new Network Adapter with E1000, assign the original IP address and disable / remove the VMXNET3 one.  Is it correct ?

Thanks

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scott28tt
VMware Employee
VMware Employee

We need to create a new Network Adapter with E1000, assign the original IP address and disable / remove the VMXNET3 one.  Is it correct ?

Yes, exactly the same as you would on a physical machine.


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RajeevVCP4
Expert
Expert

Hi Tony

What is the build number of ESXi

Rajeev Chauhan
VCIX-DCV6.5/VSAN/VXRAIL
Please mark help full or correct if my answer is use full for you
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TonyJK
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

ESXi vSphere 6

Build Number is "13535687"

Thanks

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RajeevVCP4
Expert
Expert

connect esxi with putty and provide output of this command

vmware -vl

Rajeev Chauhan
VCIX-DCV6.5/VSAN/VXRAIL
Please mark help full or correct if my answer is use full for you
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