No Network Adapters.

[drooney57]

I have tried 4.x, 5.x and 5.5.x and I get the same thing every time. So I tried to install Windows 7 to test it, and it sees both of the NICs installed.

But no matter what I try VMware does not see them and they are good working NICs.

Any Ideas? I will say one of the NICs is a 3Com card and the other NIC  is on-board.

Thanks

~Doug

[rcporto]

Your issue is due the driver of your NIC is not included in your vSphere ESXi installation media due the fact the hardware is not supported or not included inbox. Take a look here for some workaround: VMware KB: Network cards not detected on an ESXi/ESX host

[TomHowarth · Accepted solution]

Have you confirmed that the physical NICs are on the Hardware Compatibility list,  VMware only supports a limited number of Enterprise level NIC cards for performance purposes.  consumer grade cards like RealTek are almost never on the HCL.  it is at times like this that Ebay is our friend.

[SavkoorSuhas]

Please check if the NIC is compatible with your ESXi release:

To do this, please use the VMware compatibility list

www.vmware.com/go/hcl

Suhas

[mcrape]

Just to add a bit more to the conversation, chances are your NICs aren't on the HCL (Hardware Comparability List). Depending on what you are going to use the box for, you might be able to slip stream the drivers into the ESXi ISO using VMware Front Experience: ESXi-Customizer.