We have encountered an issue with virtualized domain controllers in our environment. We know this is a multi-faceted problem but we also identified VMware Tools as part of the issue.
Our current domain controllers are Windows Server 2016 Datacenter. They are virtual and have the following settings:
2 CPU, 4GB RAM, 90 GB HDD Thick Provisioned, 1 NIC (E1000). They are NOT running VMware tools.
If we try to install VMware tools, the tools install fine and run ok but it is almost impossible to log back into the machine. The machine comes up to the login screen and when you enter a username and password and hit enter, nothing happens. The machine gets stuck in some state where some services are running and some are not. DNS and DHCP servers do not always work. After resetting the machine anywhere from 5-30 times, it is possible to login.
We have built multiple new domain controllers. If we start with a fresh server install with VMware Tools and promote it to a DC, the problem shows up. If we start with a fresh server install without VMware tools and promote it to a DC, there are no problems. Once promoted to a DC, if we add VMware tools, the problems start again. We know this is unique to our environment/domain. I built a new test domain with Server 2019 servers with VMware tools and everything works fine.
All of this started in VMware 6.5 and has persisted after upgrading to 7.0 u3. (Yes, I know this has been recalled but we have not had any issues. We are discussing rolling back to 7.0 u2 but since we went from 6.5 to 7.0 u3, I'm not sure what our options really are at the moment [topic for another post]). I have no idea what in our environment might have triggered this but hoping someone has seen this and has a solution. So far I haven't been able to find a solution and neither have MCSEs from two different MSPs.
