ESXi 4.1 - dual host machine network cards - possible to separate to different networks?

[pkuzniasz]

New ESXi 4.1 install on server. Server has (2) network cards.

I have the vmnic0 IP address set statically for 1st network. Would like to set vmnic1 for 2nd network.

Essentially looking to do:

vmnic0 - 192.168.1.x

virtual machines - 192.168.1.x

vmnic1 - 192.168.2.x

virtual machines - 192.168.2.x

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks

[vmroyale]

Hello.

You already have this set up. The IP address assigned to the Management Network on vSwitch0 is on vmnic0, but you don't have an IP address on the vSwitch itself. The IP address assigned to the Management Network has nothing to do with virtual machine traffic (VM Network).

You need to ensure that network traffic coming into vmnic0 for virtual machines is on the 192.168.1.x network and that traffic coming into vmnic1 for virtual machines is on the 192.168.2.x network. If the Management Network happens to be on 192.168.1.x, then that is acceptable but not best practice.

Good Luck!

[pkuzniasz]

Thanks for the information vmroyale. To add some more detail to the equation:

All machines assigned to vswtich0 (vmnic0) can get outbound internet connectivity without any issues.

All machines assigned to vswitch1 (vmnic1) cannot get outbound internet connectivity.

Should I be looking to assign an IP adress to each vswitch? If not, and vmnic1 does not have an IP adress set, how will machines assigned to vswtich1 be able to get outbound connectivity?

Thanks in advance!

[vmroyale]

All machines assigned to vswtich0 (vmnic0) can get outbound internet connectivity without any issues.

This is probably because that network is set up properly on the physical switch.

All machines assigned to vswitch1 (vmnic1) cannot get outbound internet connectivity.

Can the ping other networks, or is it just internet connectivity? This likely goes back to how the physical switch is set up.

Should I be looking to assign an IP adress to each vswitch?

The vSwitch does not get an IP address, so no. Think of the vSwitch as a dumb hub that is forwarding packets.

If not, and vmnic1 does not have an IP adress set, how will machines assigned to vswtich1 be able to get outbound connectivity?

Virtual machines on vSwitch1 will use the VM Network port group to talk back to the physical switch that vmnic1 is plugged into. The virtual machines connected to this port group should have IP addresses in the 192.168.2.x network and that is what makes the connectivity work. I would look at how this physical switch is set up. It sounds like there might be a problem there.

[DSTAVERT · Accepted solution]

You have the 2 portgroups in different subnets, one assumes for a reason. Depending on your router and physical switches you may be able to use vlans to connect/isolate the two. It is also possible to use a virtual machine router which connects and routes between the two subnets. There are several Virtual Machine routers in the VMware Appliances downloads.

Forum Upgrade Notice - We will be upgrading VMware Communities systems between 10-12 December 2010. During this time, the system will be placed in READ-ONLY mode.

[pkuzniasz]

Thanks vmroyale, your last post about going back and checking the physical switches led me to discovering the issue. Have a good holiday!

[vmroyale]

Glad to hear you got it sorted!