VMware ESX 3.0 Network Configurations

[Aamir_Majeed_Qa]

Hi,

I am new to VMware virtualization products.I am currently working on ESX 3.0. My question is, I am connected to ESX with VI client, i have installed VM on ESX server, but in OS(WIN Server 2003) network media is disconnected. Secondly I am not clear how to assign IP to Virtual Machine Port Group which is created during VM installation.

[rpartmann]

Hi,

first things first: Welcome to VMTN!

You are creating portgroups for

- ServiceConsole

- Virtual Machine (to these you are going to connect your VMs)

- vmKernel

The VirtualMachine Portgroups don`t have IP addresses, on the other hand ServiceConsole and vmKernel have IP addresses.

Docu link:

http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs/vi_pubs.html

VM: check in the config of you VM if the virtual-nic is connected and to which portgroup.

apart from that: check network link status, vlan config, ....

hth,

Reinhard.

ps: Award points if you find answers helpful. Thanks.

[Aamir_Majeed_Qa]

OK dear,

By discussion i am cleared that Virtual Port group is not assigned any IP, but service console and vmkernel have ip addresses. Please look into scenario i have One Physical NIC named "vmnic0" and in "vswitch0" I have one virtual machine port group and a service console port. I Have installed Virtual Machine on ESX server(win server 2003) now I want to configure network, please explain how i can connect my virtual machine with the virtual switch 0 "vswitch0". Please explain thoroughly as I am new comer. Secondly in VM os network adapter is showing cable unplugged but in actual cable is plugged and I am accessing the service console port with the same "vswitch0"

thanks.

[Texiwill · Accepted solution]

Hello,

By discussion i am cleared that Virtual Port group is not assigned any IP, but service console and vmkernel have ip addresses. Please look into scenario i have One Physical NIC named "vmnic0" and in "vswitch0"

The vSwitch is a Layer 2 device. the pNIC is an uplink from the physical switch to the virtual switch. Neither get IP addresses.

I have one virtual machine port group and a service console port. I Have installed Virtual Machine on ESX server(win server 2003) now I want to configure network, please explain how i can connect my virtual machine with the virtual switch 0 "vswitch0".

Inside the virtual infrastructure client, edit the settings of the VM. select the virtual nic for the VM and assign it to the appropriate portgroup. You will only be able to select non vmkernel and non-service console portgroups. This is hooking up the virtual hardware. Once that is done use the standard Windows commands to get/assign an IP address.

Secondly in VM os network adapter is showing cable unplugged but in actual cable is plugged and I am accessing the service console port with the same "vswitch0"

That means the virtual NIC is either 'not connected' of the portgroup Label is not properly selected. Once more you go and edit the virtual machine settings using the virtual infrastructure client and select the 'connect on boot' and 'connect' check boxes for the virtual network adapter.

The documentation at http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs/vi_pages/vi_pubs_35.html will be your best starting point as will any of the existing books on VMware ESX Server.

Best regards,

Edward L. Haletky

VMware Communities User Moderator

====

Author of the book 'VMWare ESX Server in the Enterprise: Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers', Copyright 2008 Pearson Education.

CIO Virtualization Blog: http://www.cio.com/blog/index/topic/168354

As well as the Virtualization Wiki at http://www.astroarch.com/wiki/index.php/Virtualization