ESXi 4 not recognizing 2nd NIC

[shipley_c]

I just changed installation from VMware Server 2.0 to ESXi 4. I did a clean install after backing up my virtual machines. It's a Dell PE tower server with 1 on-board Broadcom NIC and I purchased an after-market Intel server class NIC so I can set up another virtual switch. Trouble is, the install only noticed the 1 physical Broadcom on-board NIC. Any ideas or resources you can point me to on how to install the drivers for an additional NIC that wasn't discovered at installation time for ESXi 4 would be very handy.

[AntonVZhbankov]

What is exact model of Intel NIC?

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[anujmodi1 · Accepted solution]

Verify that nic card should in HCL list for ESXi.

Anuj Modi,

If you found my answer to be useful, feel free to mark it as Helpful or Correct.

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[shipley_c]

Yeah, its an Intel PRO/100 S (the controller chip has number 82550 EY) - when checking the HCL, it shows pretty much only gigabit or 10 gigabit adapters - even "desktop" adapters. OK, this makes sense now. I was using the PRO/100 S for a virtual firewall appliance... since the bandwidth is so much less than 100mbps, I was covered. I may switch back to VMware Server 2.0 for this if I cannot find drivers that will support it in ESXi 4 ... Thanks!

[anujmodi1]

Thanks for your confirmation.

Anuj Modi,

If you found my answer to be useful, feel free to mark it as Helpful or Correct.

The latest blogs and articles on Virtulization:

http://communities.vmware.com/blogs/amodi

[ssallakh]

any luck with your problem? I had situtation that second adapter was not installed automaticly so I had to add it in sphere client under configuration --> networking tab.

[bulletprooffool]

Are you sure both NICs are enabled in the BIOS?

Also, try moving the NIC to a new port

[shipley_c]

I don't think it has drivers for a 100 mbps card, I will double check the networking interface in the vSphere client though, thanks.

[Dave_Mishchenko]

ESX(i) dropped support for 100 Mbps NICs - http://www.vm-help.com/esx40i/Hardware_support_removed.php

Dave

VMware Communities User Moderator

New book in town - vSphere Quick Start Guide -http://www.yellow-bricks.com/2009/08/12/new-book-in-town-vsphere-quick-start-guide/.

Do you have a system or PCI card working with VMDirectPath? Submit your specs to the Unofficial VMDirectPath HCL - http://www.vm-help.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=21.