VMXNET 3 Adapter for Windows Server 2003

[Braumin]

I have been trying to find information about whether to use VMXNET 3 adapters for our Windows Servers, which are 2003 Standard and Enterprise. Many of the posts on the VMware Communities reference KB 1001805 http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=100180... to say that Windows Server 2003 is on list of supported operating systems. Has that information changed? The KB article only shows Windows XP as a supported OS.

All of the servers are Hardware version 7, and I am able to select and use the VMXNET 3 adapter in the vSphere client. Does that mean it is supported?

Thanks!

[admin]

I think this KB might answer your question - not sure though.

Rick Blythe

Social Media Specialist

VMware Inc.

[Braumin]

Thanks for the reply, however my issue is not how to enable it, but is it supported. It actually required no tinkering to enable - it just shows up in the drop down for a new adapter type.

[EnsignA]

I cannot officially say it is supported,l but I know it works as we use it almost exclusively for Windows 2003 and 2008. In my opinion if you can select it is is supported. That said, using the vmxnet2 driver on Windows 2003 is definetly supported according to the KB articles, and is very close in performance to the vmxnet3.

[Braumin]

Thanks for the answer. I am glad someone is using it without issues. I have not had any issues yet either, but I didn't want to switch our prod servers over if there were issues.

[jayolsen]

We are using VMXNET3 on Server 2003 as well without issues. However, I don't think guests using that adapter can not be enabled for Fault Tolerance, just something to keep in mind.

[Braumin]

Well I feel a bit silly asking this question! I just went on the VMware Compatibility Guide, and I did not know it also did Guest OS hardware support but it does!

Not only is VMXNET 3 Supported, it is the recommended adapter type:

http://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/search.php?action=search&deviceCategory=software&advan...Edition&productId=-1&datePosted=-1&partnerId%5B%5D=-1&os_bits=-1&os_use%5B%5D=-1&os_family%5B%5D=-1&os_name%5B%5D=WindowsServer+2003&os_type%5B%5D=-1&rorre=0