ESXi crashes when switching network cables

[nutt]

So I've got 4 NIC cards on my ESXi server and im trying to virtulize my firewall (pfSense) and I'm running into a strange issue. Anyways while my vm is running I can swap the cables out between a different switch or router and at random times I get the following error. Not sure why but I'm experiencing very problems as below when connected to a switch. For example in order to access the web admin page for pfsense I have to have both the wan and lan plugged into the same switch in order to ping 192.168.1.1

Could this error be from a not 100% support NIC ?

Onboard NIC is a RealTek 8168

2 PCI RealTek 8169

1 PCI Intel Pro

Anyway's out of ideas on the strange behavior and error message.

Thanks for the help

[Virtualinfra · Accepted solution]

Yes thats correct. the VMKdrivers gets crashed when there is a such disturbance with esxi.

Also the realtek nic are not supported with esxi5..

Refer the below nic for the supported NICs:i couldnt find a realtek nic on the list.

http://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/search.php?deviceCategory=io

[nutt]

As for the error message, is there anyway around not getting this? Or is it due to the unsupported NIC's?

Kind of a bummer that the Realteks are not supported even though they show up and are reconized. Is there any reason that ESXi has a very limited supported driver base?

Thanks.

[Josh26]

Hi,

It's not the main cause of your issue but you appear to have two network segments attached to the same switch. You should only be doing this is your switch is configured with separate VLANs.

Regarding your question, VMware driver base that qualifies nearly every major server device - the only limitation is that you're looking at a much more consumed oriented NIC.

Edit: It couldn't hurt to apply the latest ESXi update which will probably contain driver updates.

[nutt]

Ill give the update a try and see if that helps.

Thanks!