Troubleshooting networking issues

[GrahamUK33]

I have a PC that has the following configuration that allows access to the internet:

IP Address: 192.168.55.151 (Static)

Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0

Default Gateway: 192.168.55.101

Primary DNS Server: 212.139.132.20

Alternative DNS Server: 212.139.132.5

I have installed VMware Player on to the above PC and I am running VMware ESXi5. What I would like is for all VMs created in this scenario to have access to the internet.

The configuration that is automatically on the host is:

IP Address: 192.168.67.130 (Static)

Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0

Default Gateway: 192.168.67.2

Primary DNS Server: 192.168.67.2

DHCP Server: 192.168.67.254

When I run a Test Management Network in ESXi the network settings come back as okay, but I just can’t gain access to the internet.

Any idea what I need to do?

[krishna_v78]

Is ESXi talking to your Host PC?

I'm not sure about the option in VMware player, but in VMware Workstation we have option to bridge networks which allows VMs to communicate with host PC. you can check for same option in vmware player

[Tsjo]

Your host and the ESXi guest is on different networks, is that design by choice and how is the virtual network configured?

Just to verify that everything is working as expected I would start testing with a bridged vnet.

[GrahamUK33]

I can download updates when I am in VMware Player so I know that is connected to the internet.

Once EXSi has booted up I can’t see where I can ping my router, but it does let you change the network setting which I have done. This is the point where is doesn’t like the network settings I put in such as:

IP Address: 192.168.55.160
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.55.101
Primary DNS Server: 212.139.132.20
Alternative DNS Server: 212.139.132.5

Does ESXi have to be on the same IP range for the VMs to gain access to the internet?

[GrahamUK33]

The ESXi keeps wanting to revert to the following configuration:

IP Address: 192.168.67.130
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.67.2

[krishna_v78]

your ESXi host will act as a router for VMs to access internet in this Scenario.

VMs should be on same subnet unless ESXi host has two different IP addresses.

DefaultGateway should be ESXi host IP address.

[Tsjo]

After you configured the network settings for the ESXi, use the Test Management Network function available. Does it return any errors?

Does ESXi have to be on the same IP range for the VMs to gain access to the internet?

No, as long as the routing is correct (and no firewalls blocking traffic etc) it doesn't.

[GrahamUK33]

Changed Default Gateway to ESXi host IP Address (192.168.55.151) and it is not happy.

Enable Managemen Netowrk: Error
Setting defualt gateway failed: Unable to set VMkernel gateway address to 192.168.55.151 as there are no VMkernal interfaces on the same network with that IP address.

I'm a bit lost now...

[Tsjo]

I think there's a bit of confusion right now.

Lets focus on the ESXi first:

Check that the ESXi is configured to use bridged networking in VMware Player.

The ESXi should then be configured like any other PC with a static IP address on your network; same net, default gateway and netmask.

Test the connection with the help of the Test Management Network function.

If everything turns out OK, try to connect to the ESXi with the vSphere Client.

If you're able to login into the ESXi, then you can start installing and configurating the VMs.

[GrahamUK33]

I can login to the ESXi with vSphere Client (v5) I have been able to create VMs as well. These seem to work okay but just not getting access to the internet.

[Tsjo]

So the ESXi is up and running correctly and some VMs are installed, awesome.

Could you attach a picture of your ESXi network configuration showing the vswitches and adapters?

[GrahamUK33]

Is this what you are after?

[GrahamUK33]

The internet is now working and I have not got a clue why.

Main PC this is hosted on

IP Address: 192.168.55.151 (Static)
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.55.101
Primary DNS Server: 212.139.132.20
Alternative DNS Server: 212.139.132.5

VMware View - EXSi5

IP Address: 192.168.67.130 (Static)
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.67.2
Primary DNS Server: 192.168.67.2
DHCP Server: 192.168.67.254

VM1 - Server 2008

IP Address: 192.168.67.131
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.67.2
DHCP Server: 192.168.67.254
DNS Server: 192.168.67.2
Primary WINS Server: 192.168.67.2

VM2 - Windows 7

IP Address: 192.168.67.132
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.67.2
Primary DNS Server: 192.168.67.2
DHCP Server: 192.168.67.254

[Tsjo]

The internet is now working and I have not got a clue why.

I'm glad it worked out for you anyway.