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wm408
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specify full MAC address

Hello,

     Is there a way to manually set the MAC to whatever I want on a VM?  It seems like the first half needs to be VMware specific.  I know it probably isn't supported, but I really want to make this work for a legacy application.  Other than this, I was thinking if I can't... why can't I run a VM inside a VM and define the MAC with something like Virtualbox?

     Thank you.

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Troy_Clavell
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Yes, its a Win 2003 server.  So, if I set the MAC in windows, this will  re-define the MAC to the host itself?, ignoring ESXi's higher level  setting for the VM?

yes.  Setting it within the guest OS will override the VMware assigned MAC

Do you recommend changing the MAC in windows through the adapter configuration or registry?

changing it through the advanced options of your network adapter will suffice.

http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1008473

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MauroBonder
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Hi,

This kb explain how works mac address, check it, maybe this information will be useful for you http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=219


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wm408
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So the VM won't run if I go arbitrary with a manually set MAC?  (Ill have to test this).

Does anyone else have any recommendations?  There must be solutions for my problem.

Thank you.

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Troy_Clavell
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what is the guest OS?  If Windows you can set the MAC within the OS.

wm408
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Yes, its a Win 2003 server.  So, if I set the MAC in windows, this will re-define the MAC to the host itself?, ignoring ESXi's higher level setting for the VM? 

Do you recommend changing the MAC in windows through the adapter configuration or registry?

Thanks.

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Troy_Clavell
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Yes, its a Win 2003 server.  So, if I set the MAC in windows, this will  re-define the MAC to the host itself?, ignoring ESXi's higher level  setting for the VM?

yes.  Setting it within the guest OS will override the VMware assigned MAC

Do you recommend changing the MAC in windows through the adapter configuration or registry?

changing it through the advanced options of your network adapter will suffice.

http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1008473

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a_p_
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I just came across this blog post http://defaultreasoning.wordpress.com/2011/06/09/assign-a-static-mac-address-to-a-virtual-machine-on...

I actually though this only works in VMware Workstation and Player, maybe there was a change in ESXi 4.1!?

André

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wm408
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Great, thank you.  I will test this.

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wm408
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That's really helpful too.  Thank you Andre.  I will use this as a backup.

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wm408
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Troy,

     It worked out just fine. 

Thank you.

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Troy_Clavell
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you're welcome.  Glad to see you got it resolved.

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