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TobiasM
Contributor
Contributor

What is the difference between E1000 and VMXNET3 network adapters

Hi

As the subject line, what is the diffrence between E1000 and VMXNET3. When I use E1000 I get 1.0GB and when I use VMXNET3 I get 10GB.

Rgds

Tobias

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nielse
Expert
Expert

I suggest reading this KB for more information. It's a fact that VMXNET3 is better then E1000, you can see the myth around it here.

@nielsengelen - http://foonet.be - VCP4/5
TobiasM
Contributor
Contributor

I experience that it is the same speed copying between servers

with E1000 network adapters and between services with VMXNET3 network adapters. Why is that?

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nielse
Expert
Expert

What are you trying to copy? How does your physical network looks like? If it's only 1 gbit this behaviour could be normal.

@nielsengelen - http://foonet.be - VCP4/5
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TobiasM
Contributor
Contributor

Copying ISO files from one wm´s to another, yes we have 10GB in the network.

Rgds

Tobias

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nielse
Expert
Expert

Is the configuration on the virtual switch correct (auto-nego or 10000 full-duplex)? What speed are you getting at the moment? On what type of storage are you running/testing this?

@nielsengelen - http://foonet.be - VCP4/5
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TobiasM
Contributor
Contributor

The virtual switch is sat to 10000MB Full-duplex and it´s copying in 85Mbps

//Tobias

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vcpguy
Expert
Expert

Irrespecitve of what you see inside the VM, the speed is always dependant on network card of your ESXi server. Apart from speed, VMXNET3 also provides support for jumbo frames and hardware off loads.

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