Virtual Machines losing IP address/VMWare tools fail

[madpro]

Hi

I am using ESXi 5.5 and have recently noticed some random issues with our Virtual Machines.

I can be RDP'd to a VM and I will suddenly lose connection.

When I check the summary tab of the VM, Tools isnt running and there is no IP address.

I then have to reset the machine to get the IP address back

When I check the Performance tab in the Client, I can see the machine is still running, as the charts are being updated with the CPU, Memory stats.

This is happening to Windows 7 and 10 VMs, of different build numbers and both x86 and x64 versions.

Below is part of the VM log file, for around the time the issue occurs

2017-06-01T11:41:46.065Z| vmx| I120: GuestRpcSendTimedOut: message to toolbox timed out.

2017-06-01T11:41:46.065Z| vmx| I120: GuestRpcSendTimedOut: message to toolbox-dnd timed out.

2017-06-01T11:42:01.065Z| vmx| I120: GuestRpcSendTimedOut: message to toolbox timed out.

2017-06-01T11:42:01.065Z| vmx| I120: GuestRpc: app toolbox's second ping timeout; assuming app is down

2017-06-01T11:42:01.070Z| vmx| I120: GuestRpcSendTimedOut: message to toolbox-dnd timed out.

2017-06-01T11:42:01.070Z| vmx| I120: GuestRpc: app toolbox-dnd's second ping timeout; assuming app is down

Here is a section showing there is an issue with Vmware Tools

2017-06-01T11:45:01.078Z| vmx| I120: Vix: [4794419 guestCommands.c:1924]: Error VIX_E_TOOLS_NOT_RUNNING in VMAutomationTranslateGuestRpcError(): VMware Tools are not running in the guest

2017-06-01T11:48:01.967Z| vmx| I120: Tools: Tools heartbeat timeout.

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

[PCTechStream]

What virtual network adapter are your VMs configured with?

I've seen weird issues with E1000 adapters. I'd recommend changing them to VMXNET 3 if they aren't already.

VMware Tools or VMware View Agent "if aplicable" are out of date?

Reinstalling the vmware tools/ resolved the issue most of the time (because this reinstalls the drivers)

--  Connect to VM or Template from vCenter Console

--  Uninstall VMware View Agent

--  Uninstall VMware Tools

--  Reboot

--  Delete if you find them

--  Delete HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\VMware, Inc.\VMware Tools

--  Delete HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\VMware, Inc.\VMware VDM

--  Delete C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware View\*.*

--  Delete C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware Tools\*.*

--  Delete C:\Documents an Settings\All Users\Application Data\VMware\VDM\*.*

--  Reboot VM

--  Install VMware Tools (Complete)

--  Reboot

--  Install VMware View Agent (Latest release)

--  Reboot

Check system configuration and TCP/IP settings:

-- Make sure subnet mask is correct.

-- Make sure DNS servers exists.

-- Make sure default gateway is correct.

-- Check DHCP server for duplicate IPs.

Raul.

VMware VDI Administrator.

http://ITCloudStream.com/

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[madpro]

Thanks for your reply Raul

I will try these steps and update you...

[madpro]

Hi Raul

I am still waiting user feedback for the fix, but I just wanted to give you a quick update.

I have noticed when the machine loses IP address and tools isnt running, when I switch to Console view in the VSphere client, I can still enter details in the login screen.

So it appears the machine isnt totally frozen, it is still running, but just very very slowly

Thanks

[PCTechStream]

I do not find the vSphere console to be slow. Please check the following;

- Maybe your system is over-burdened or you are experiencing network issues.

- Ensure you have turned off pointer shadow in Windows. This significantly speeds up the Client Console window.

- Update the display driver manually it's under Program Files\common files\vmware\drivers\video. Will make Console sessions much more responsive

- It may also be DNS resolution. The vSphere client relies on the client host to resolve the ESXi host FQDN for MKS consoles.

Raul.

VMware VDI Administrator.

http://ITCloudStream.com/

Stay Connected :smileyplus: Don't forget to:

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[madpro]

Hi Raul

No, the system isnt overburdened...this only happens on the VMs that also have the issue...other VMs deployed from the same template, on the same Host and Datastore are fine

BUT, so far I havent had a reported issue of any machines having the issue, where I have re-installed Tools and changed network adapter.

I have added the full log for the VM that had the issue....the problem starts from 11.41:46

Thanks

[arunku]

Hi Madpro,

Have you found the root cause or the solution to the above problem?