I have 2 Windows Server 2008 R2 based VMs hosted by VMware ESXi 5.0 hosts and managed by vShpere 5.0.
The VMs act as an application server and a terminal server.
Users report poor networking performance and sometime network errors in the connection between the 2 VMs.
Both VMs are configured to use E1000 virtual network adapters.
Is it advisable to change the virtual network adapter types to VMXNET 2 or to VMXNET 3?
Should we expect better performances and less network errors?
As I don't see any option to change the network adapter type, what is the best procedure to change the network adapter type? Should I add a new network adapter, change the address of the existing one, configure the new network adapter with the old IP address and delete the old network adapter or is there a better procedure?
Regards
marius
I have done this several times.
Hi
If you use ESXi5, you must change the vmxnet2 to vmxnet3 a virtual card that is newer, and performative but with a leaner driver. Too is a best practices keep up to date.
Do not forget to also update VMware Tools and Virtual HW.
Here's some information here http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=100180...
You might don´t see option to change network adapter because may this virtual machine have hardware virtual v4. (check).
To change adapter, i recommend get a backup of configuration IP of your current adapter, if it disappear after change, you´ve all information to configure again.
VMXNET 3 is supported only for virtual machines version 7 and later, with a limited set of guest operating systems:
Suggest to use VMXNET3 as a network adapter.
As I don't see any option to change the network adapter type, what is the best procedure to change the network adapter type
Have you upgraded the host from earlier version to ESXi 5.0 if so you have upgrade VMware Tools and Virtual Hardware version. VMXNET3 option is available only with virtual hardware version 7
There is no option to change the network adapter online, suggest to make a note of IP settings and remove the current NIC and add a new NIC with VMXNET and re-configure the network settings
I have done this several times.