ESXi 6.7 Physical NICs - Link down

[albertlauts]

I have several VMware ESXi 6.7 servers. On one machine, only one Ethernet adapter shows the link to the switch properly. The other on-board Ethernet port shows the link is down. I tried to make the link come up, but it fails. Aside from the fact that there is a cable connecting the port to the switch, there are no other physical or logical indications within VMware or on the server that the port is connected. On the switch, I am seeing logs showing the port's link state flapping. I installed a separate Ethernet adapter and VMware automatically recognized the new hardware. The ports on this new (working) adapter are also showing the link state down.

This is not a driver or compatibility issue as another server has exactly the same hardware without the same difficulty.

I have been wrestling with this issue for a few days now and can't seem to find an answer to this issue. I would appreciate any suggestions.

[scott28tt]

@albertlauts 

Moderator: Moved to ESXi Discussions

[a_p_]

How are the vSwitch port policies configured?
Did you try to connect another device (e.g. a notebook) to the same switch port to see whether the link comes up? (if possible use the same cable)
In case of a managed switch, how are the ports configured?

André

[albertlauts]

Thanks for the response. I have done the following for troubleshooting:

1 -Tested the adapter in another machine (good/working/link state up)
2 - Checked the log files for any clues (nothing related in the logs)
3 - Modified some settings in the BIOS with regard to PCI slots where the adapter is installed (No difference)
4 - Checked compatibility (compatible)
5 - Compared all the settings on the ports and in VMware with another machine with same hardware (Settings are the same - works on other machine)
6 - Checked the switch port settings and tested the ports with another device (Switch port and cable test fine)

[albertlauts]

With regard to the vSwitch port policies, they match exactly a working system with the same hardware. With regard to the manage switch, the settings are the same as known working ports where the other ESXi server is connected. I can connect to any of the ports with the other server, and the link state changes as expected. I even booted from a USB stick with a Linux distro and it works as expected. There just seems to be something wrong with the ESXi installation/configuration, but I can't find it.

[dochemlock]

Hi @albertlauts 

Have you seen if the problem follows the Host NIC? 

Eg plug VMNIC 3 into the “working” switch port that VMNIC 2 uses and see if it comes up? 

Another dull question have you replaced the cable that goes from VMNIC 3 to the switch? (For example the “working” cable that goes into VMNIC 2)