ESX 3.1 installer can't find my broadcom BCM5705 Ethernet interface

[override_c]

Hi all!

I'm trying to test the ESX server, but I can't start the installation because the installer can't find my broadcom BCM5705 Ethernet interface.

I've checked on HCL and this NIC is fully supported by "tg3" driver; but it tell me "no supported network interfaces"....

Also I've checked ,when the installer is running, from a console with "lspci" and my NIC is correctly identyfied as:

"Ethernet Controller: Broadcom Corporation Nextreme BCM5705 Gigabit Ethernet (rev 03)"

Can anyone help me?

Thanks

[Texiwill]

Hello,

What is the chassis (make and model) this hardware resides within? Is this a built in adapter, or one you added?

Generally if this is a built in adapter, then there is another name for the device and that is what you need to lookup in the I/O Compatibility guide. Unfortunately, LSPCI does not often show the other device name. There are generally firmware differences between ones supplied by a vendor and the one direct from Broadcom.

Could you provide the following output:

lspci

dmidecode | grep "Product Name:"

esxcfg-nics -l

We can then sort this out.

Best regards,

Edward

[override_c]

Hello, and thanks for help...

I'm trying to install on a lenovo thinkcenter 3000J series 7395-49G (yes...it's a persona computer, not a server...) because I can't buy a server without testing this sw first...

Here the info you ask me:

<<dmidecode>>
Product Name: 739549g
Product Name: LENOVO

<<esxcfg-nics>>
this command is not present...I think because in installation process all command aren't available...

<<lspci>>

00:00.0 Host Bridge: Intel Corporation: Unknown device 27d8 (rev02)

00:01.0 PCI Bridge: Intel Corporation: Unknown device 2791 (rev02)

00:02.0 VGA Compatible Controller: Intel Corporation: Unknown device 2792 (rev02)

00:1b.0 Class 0403: Intel Corporation: Unknown device 27d8 (rev01)

00:1c.0 PCI Bridge: Intel Corporation: Unknown device 27d0 (rev01)

00:1c.1 PCI Bridge: Intel Corporation: Unknown device 27d2 (rev01)

00:1d.0 USB Controller: Intel Corporation: Unknown device 27c8 (rev01)

00:1d.1 USB Controller: Intel Corporation: Unknown device 27c9 (rev01)

00:00.2 USB Controller: Intel Corporation: Unknown device 27ca (rev01)

00:00.3 USB Controller: Intel Corporation: Unknown device 27cb (rev01)

00:1d.7 USB Controller: Intel Corporation: Unknown device 27cc (rev01)

00:1e.0 PCI Bridge: Intel Corporation 82801BA/CA/DB/EB PCI Bridge (rev e1)

00:1f.0 ISA Bridge: Intel Corporation: Unknown device 27b8 (rev01)

00:1f.2 IDE Interface: Intel Corporation: Unknown device 27c0 (rev01)

00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corporation: Unknown device 27da (rev01)

04:00.0 Ethernet Controller: Broadcom Corporation: Unknown device 169a (rev02)

0a:0a.0 Ethernet Controller: Broadcom Corporation: Broadcom Corporation Nextreme BCM5705 Gigabit Ethernet (rev03)

As you can see the last is my NIC...

I hope you can help me....

Thank you very much

[Texiwill]

Hello,

Well 2 things, one you pointed out already, it is a personal computer and those have never worked very well. Lenovo is definitely not on the HCL, so if this works I will be surprised. This is what happens when you try to use unsupported hardware with ESX. If you can get something that is on the HCL you will be better off.

The second follows:

04:00.0 Ethernet Controller: Broadcom Corporation: Unknown device 169a (rev02)

0a:0a.0 Ethernet Controller: Broadcom Corporation: Broadcom Corporation Nextreme BCM5705 Gigabit Ethernet (rev03)

I do not think you are picking up the proper broadcom device, since the 04:00.0 device appears first in the list, this is the one it is most likely seeing, and this one ESX can not resolve to a known device.

Here is what I would do. Go into the BIOS and disable the 04:00.0 Ethernet Controller. If it is removable, do that instead.

I would also buy/install a cheap pair of 10/100 cards as well or if you have some Intel e1000 cards.

Once you complete an install, it is fairly easy to change the device used for vSwitches to the GigE if necessary. If once you install the GigE NIC does not show up then you really have no option but to get a pair of NICs that will work.

Best regards,

Edward

[override_c]

Thanks a lot;

but the problem persist....I've disabled onboard briadcom ethernet, but nothing changed;

also I've found a "broadcom Nextreme BCM5703 Gigabit Ethernet (rev 10)" made by broadcom but the problem persist...

I think that there's no chance to try ESX server....

Thank you for your time

[Texiwill]

Hello,

Look at the whitepapers on xtravirt.com, there is one about installing ESX within some VMware workstation 6 VMs. However, unless you have Intel VT or AMD-V CPUs the performance will be pretty bad.

It is an alternative, but the performance may be too horrendous for your trial.

Best regards,

Edward