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Jessicasdd
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Add Port Group

Author : Chris Bedford

URL : http:////docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-vSphere/6.7/com.vmware.vsphere.networking.doc/GUID-DAF824CD-104D-...

Topic Name : Create a vSphere Standard Switch

Publication Name : vSphere Networking

Product/Version : VMware vSphere/6.7

Question :

The Doc available doesn't cover vSphere Web Client for ESXi 6.7. Can you provide proper instructions to create a VM Port Group?

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Jessicasdd
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Those are vSwitch topologies. I think I got it though. I found this in another post:

202002263.jpg

So I added a second port group called Internet and selected the same switch that I was using for Internet Network. Now it looks like this:

202002264.jpg

202002265.jpg

So maybe that should be mentioned somewhere in those instructions that you need to add more than one port group to a switch to be able to select one as a network adapter in the actual VM. Of course I can't test this until after work hours. I need to see if now my VM can access the internet without using the network adapter from the laptop I am using to configure it. It's an upgrade of our file server and if I bring it up while people are working the network gets confused.

Thanks,

Jessica

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vwaghule
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Below document provides guidelines to create VM port group using ESXi 6.7 host client,

Add a Virtual Machine Port Group in the VMware Host Client

Below Doc provides details from vSphere web client,

Add a Virtual Machine Port Group

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Jessicasdd
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I've read both of these. It is not what I am looking for. No where in those does it explain how to add a VM Port Group. They explain how to add a Port Group, not a VM Port Group. I've added 4 Port Groups already. Only the first one is a VM Port Group. The other 3 are plain Port Groups. Anything I try to add going forward only shows up as a plain port group. I don't understand what I am missing here. Only the first port group I created can be selected as a network adapter in the VM.

The Doc titles Add a Virtual Machine Port Group says to Right-Click the Host and select Add Networking. If I right-click the host I don't get that option. The options are Create/Register VM, Shutdown, Reboot, Services, Enter maintenance mode, Lockdown mode, Permissions, Generate support bundle.

If I right-click Networking the options are Add port group, Add standard switch, or Add VMkernel NIC. I can select Add port group but it doesn't allow me to select Virtual Machine Port Group for a Standard Switch.

Am I just missing something here? I am so confused.

Thanks,

Jessica

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ChrisFD2
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Hi, a port group is the same as a VM port group.

Regards,
Chris
VCIX-DCV 2023 | VCIX-NV 2023 | vExpert *** | CCNA R&S
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Jessicasdd
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Why can't I select the other port groups as network adapters in the VMs?

When I look at port group VM Network (the one VM Port Group that is working) it shows the VMs listed under it on the left and one physical adapter on the right side in the topology. I can select this as a network adapter.

When I look at port group Internet it shows VMkernel port (1) on the left and one physical adapter on the right in the topology. I cannot select this as a network adapter.

So what am I missing? What am I not understanding.

Thanks,

Jessica

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ChrisFD2
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Could you share a screenshot of the vSwitch/Port Group topology please?

Regards,
Chris
VCIX-DCV 2023 | VCIX-NV 2023 | vExpert *** | CCNA R&S
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Jessicasdd
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202002261.jpg202002262.jpg

Thanks,

Jessica

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ChrisFD2
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It doesn't look like the port groups are attached to any of the switches.

Regards,
Chris
VCIX-DCV 2023 | VCIX-NV 2023 | vExpert *** | CCNA R&S
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Jessicasdd
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Those are vSwitch topologies. I think I got it though. I found this in another post:

202002263.jpg

So I added a second port group called Internet and selected the same switch that I was using for Internet Network. Now it looks like this:

202002264.jpg

202002265.jpg

So maybe that should be mentioned somewhere in those instructions that you need to add more than one port group to a switch to be able to select one as a network adapter in the actual VM. Of course I can't test this until after work hours. I need to see if now my VM can access the internet without using the network adapter from the laptop I am using to configure it. It's an upgrade of our file server and if I bring it up while people are working the network gets confused.

Thanks,

Jessica

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robertwebb
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So what they are saying makes sense.

If you add a VM Kernel to a port group, then that port group is no longer considered a "VM Port Group". You have to create a second port group in the vswitch without a VM Kernel attached in order to make it available to VM's.

Now, if you create a vSwitch strictly for VM communications, then you can create the vswitch then add a port group. At this point, because you do not have an VM Kernel in the new port group, that port group is considered a VM Port Group and can be assigned to VM's.

Jessicasdd
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And that worked! I was able to test it last night. The internet is working.

I think they should update their instructions to explain this a little better. I am very thankful for this forum.

Thank you everyone,

Jessica Smiley Happy

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