Problems with packet loss upgrading from ESXi 5.5 to 6

[RChadwick]

I've been running a Linux-based router for a few years with no problems under 5.5. I got a new server, installed ESXI 6 U2 on a USB Flash drive, and copied the VM over. I configured the network adapters (As E1000), and started up the VM. The Router works, but seems to be dropping packets. Going to webpages will often hang for a long time. Running continuous pings to external websites shows random timeouts at least every minute, sometimes every 10 seconds. Any idea what might be causing this, and how to fix it?

[DavoudTeimouri]

Can you please let us know, what is your Linux distribution?

Also send us your ESXi build number.

[junian_dani]

Hi,

Have you upgraded VMware Tools driver for this VM?

Overview of VMware Tools (340) | VMware KB

[RChadwick]

I'm running the Dell rebranded version 6.0 U2 3620759, and the distribution is Sophos UTM 9.3. I believe it has vmware tools built in. Thanks!

[ArjunDooti]

Hi,

let us know the out put for below commands

esxcli network nic list

esxcli network nic get -n vmnic<0>

vmkchdev -l | grep vmnic

Thanks & Regards

Arjun Dooti

[RChadwick]

I'm running it on a Dell Poweredge R610, using the internal 4 network adapters. One is unused, one is connected to the LAN to manage ESXi, and the last two are the LAN and WAN adapters for the Sophos UTM VM. The LAN and WAN are currently unplugged.

esxcli network nic list returns:

Name

PCI Device

Driver  Admin Status  Link Status  Speed  Duplex  MAC Address

MTU  Description

------  ------------  ------  ------------  -----------  -----  ------  -----------------  ----  -------------------------------------------

vmnic0  0000:01:00.0  bnx2	Up	Up	1000  Full	00:21:9b:9c:8d:4b  1500  Broadcom Corporation QLogic 5709 1000Base-T
vmnic1  0000:01:00.1  bnx2	Up	Down	0  Half	00:21:9b:9c:8d:4d  1500  Broadcom Corporation QLogic 5709 1000Base-T
vmnic2  0000:02:00.0  bnx2	Up	Down	0  Full	00:21:9b:9c:8d:4f  1500  Broadcom Corporation QLogic 5709 1000Base-T
vmnic3  0000:02:00.1  bnx2	Up	Down	0  Full	00:21:9b:9c:8d:51  1500  Broadcom Corporation QLogic 5709 1000Base-T

esxcli network nic get -n vmnic<0> returns an error

-sh: syntax error: unexpected redirection

esxcli network nic get -n vmnic0 returns:

   Advertised Auto Negotiation: true

   Advertised Link Modes: 10baseT/Half, 10baseT/Full, 100baseT/Half, 100baseT/Full, 1000baseT/Full

   Auto Negotiation: true

   Cable Type: Twisted Pair

   Current Message Level: 0

   Driver Info:

         Bus Info: 0000:01:00.0

         Driver: bnx2

         Firmware Version: 7.12.17 bc 7.10.0 NCSI 2.0.13

         Version: 2.2.5g.v55.2

   Link Detected: true

   Link Status: Up

   Name: vmnic0

   PHYAddress: 1

   Pause Autonegotiate: true

   Pause RX: true

   Pause TX: true

   Supported Ports: TP

   Supports Auto Negotiation: true

   Supports Pause: true

   Supports Wakeon: true

   Transceiver: internal

   Wakeon: MagicPacket(tm)

vmkchdev -l | grep vmnic returns:

0000:01:00.0 14e4:1639 1028:0236 vmkernel vmnic0

0000:01:00.1 14e4:1639 1028:0236 vmkernel vmnic1

0000:02:00.0 14e4:1639 1028:0236 vmkernel vmnic2

0000:02:00.1 14e4:1639 1028:0236 vmkernel vmnic3

[ArjunDooti]

Driver seems to be latest, update the Firmware. Is it possible to use vmxnet3 adapter and test the packet drops.

Current Version:			2.7a.03.v55.2
Latest Driver Version:			2.7a.03.v55.2

Current Firmwaer version:     7.10.0

Latest Firmware Version:    7.10.0

Compatibility link:

http://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/detail.php?deviceCategory=io&productid=36026&releaseid...

Download link:

VMware vSphere 5: Private Cloud Computing, Server and Data Center Virtualization

Process to update the drivers:

To install the async drivers (http://kb.vmware.com/kb/2005205):

1.	Download the zip file from the link provided in my previous email.

2.	Extract the contents of the async driver zip file.

3.	Identify the offline-bundle.zip file(s).

4.	Log into the ESXi host using the vSphere Client with administrator privileges, such as root.

5.	Using the Datastore Browser, upload the offline-bundle.zip file(s) to an ESXi host's datastore.

6.	Enter the host into maintenance mode.

7.	Log in as root to the ESXi console through SSH (PUTTY) or iLO/DRAC.

8.	Run this command to install drivers using the offline bundle (this requires an absolute path):

9.

For latest Firmware please contact Hardware vendor.

esxcli software vib install -d /vmfs/volumes/<path of zip file location>/name.zip (if this does not work then try the below localcli command).

localcli software vib install -d /vmfs/volumes/<path of zip file location>/name.zip

If you have any queries or need assistance let me know.