Network is unreachable

[I_G_]

Hi!

I have installed ESX Server 3 on the PC. I’m not sure the installation was absolutely correct, as the machine hardware doesn’t match the compatibility list. But it finally did install.

Now I am in the Linux mode, and the problem is, that I can’t access server from the network. I have got a PC in the same network, and it doesn’t respond ping from my new server too.

If I try to ping any machine from server, the error is:

\[root@ESX root]# ping 192.168.100.124

connect: Network is unreachable

I have tried to connect ESX and a PC directly with a cable – the same error.

Does anyone know, what can be the possible problem?

Thanks,

Ivan

[Dave_Mishchenko]

It may be a problem with unsupported NICs. What output do you get for this command?

esxcfg-nics -l

[I_G_]

here it is:

Error: VMKernel not loaded, all VmkCtl objects disabled.

Aborted

not good... ?

[Dave_Mishchenko]

It's not liking your hardware so you'll probably be out of luck.

Are you looking to put together a test server? Optionally if the CPU in the PC supports Intel VT, you can run ESX in a virtual machine on VMware Workstation 6.

[I_G_]

Yes, I'm trying to test the ESX... Does the messge "VMKernel not loaded" mean that it can't work properly? Is it possible to find out what exactly it doesn't like? I can change some of hardware, or may it's possible to fix in Linux mode?

Thanks for your quick answer

[virtech]

If the vmkernel is not loaded then you have no chance of running ESX properly, what hardware are you trying to install on ?

As suggested if you have a laptop with VT technology you can install ESX3 inside workstation 6, or if you dont get you hands on some cheap hardware thats on the HCL. There are plenty of tips in the forums.

[Dave_Mishchenko]

The vmkernel is basically the part of ESX taht provides virtualization. Without that, you're just left with the service console ( based on Red Hat linux) which by itself does not provide any virtualization services.

What sort of hardware is this: CPU, motherboard, NIC model, storage adapter, hard drives?

[I_G_]

Yes, I see...

Hardware:

NIC - Intel(R) PRO/100 VE Network Connection

Intel Pentium 4, CPU 2.80GHz 2.81GHz, 496 RAM

etc.

I've tried to download ESX on the VCMWare server already, but there was an MRTT error (the number of CPU was invalid - 0). The problem was? that it couldn't see virtual CPU.

I'll think about using workstation 6.

Thanks

[virtech · Accepted solution]

Your NIC is not on the HCL thats one of your problems. And you need more physical memory.

As far as I know you cant install ESX on VMWare Server, you need Workstation 6.0

[Dave_Mishchenko]

ESX will only run a Workstation 6.0 at this time and not VMware Server. As mentioned your NIC isn't supported. You might want to try with a Intel Pro 1000. The supported NICs list is here: http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_io_guide.pdf

You'll also need some sort of SCSI storage. The above link will have what's supported. You can aslo use one of these SATA raid controllers: SATA controllers - http://vmprofessional.com/index.php?content=sata_faq

Here are some other links to consider.

Whitebox on ASUS P5M2 - http://www.xtravirt.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=58&Itemid=67

http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs/vi_pubs.html - support systems / IO compatability guide

You're not guaranteed though that ESX will properly run even with the NIC and SATA controller. Here are some other options for test - home systems

Other links.

Hardware recommendations to build a cheap ESX server - http://www.vmweekly.com/articles/hardware_recommendations_to_build_cheap_esx_server/1/

White box/Home ESX system - http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=620124

ESX on non-supported hardware to learn with - http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=77560

From: http://www.vmware-land.com/Vmware_Links.html

http://www.vmware-land.com/Vmware_Links.html#Hardware

[I_G_]

I see...... That's a pity...

Thank you for the information, Dave.Mishchenko, Mooihoek.

That was just a try of installing. I think I'm going to try it on Workstation 6.0 .

Best regards,

Ivan

[Dave_Mishchenko]

You'll need a PC that supported Intel VT for ESX to run in a VM. Otherwise, it'll take 45 + minutes to boot and not really run.

[I_G_]

I've got several different computers to try. How do I know whether Is it Intel Virtualization Technology supported or not?

[Dave_Mishchenko]

This is from wikipedia to give you an idea of which CPUs will have it. If you go into the BIOS of a PC that supports it, you'll see an option to enable it.

Intel VT was officially launched at the Intel Developer Forum Spring 2005. It is available on certain Pentium 4 6x1 and 6x2 models[2], Pentium D 9x0[1], Xeon 3xxx/5xxx/7xxx , Core Duo (excluding T2300E) and Core 2 Duo processors (excluding the T5200, T5250, T5300, T5450, T5470, T5500, E4x00, E2xx0). On some implementations, IVT support may be switched off in the Firmware. This can be determined by checking if the VMX flag is enabled by the Feature Control MSR.

You can also get a CPU utility from here (look for CPU Compatibility Tools ) that will check the CPU of your PC for Intel VT. http://www.vmware.com/download/vi/drivers_tools.html

[I_G_]

Thanks much!