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Edoh
Contributor
Contributor

Trying to install VMWare ESXI 4.0

Hi Guys,

I have decided to try to play with the VMWare ESXI due to it's attractive features. I downloaded the installation iso and burned it on cd. After a while of running it, I got the famous "lvmdriver" error and through searching the community found out it's a NIC issue.

The system I am trying to install it on is Dell E521 desktop. Apparently ESXI doesn't like the integrated NIC. I have found a suggestion by a member that Intel Pro 1000gt would work but my E521 only has PCI-Express Ports. I am willing to take out the sound card which is on a PCI-E port (the short one).

I tried to look for a list of cards from the compatibility list but I cannot search by whether or not the card is a PCI or PCI Express.

Which NIC should I get to make this work?

Does anyone know if I get the NIC to work, will ESXI install on my system?

If I were to buy DELL PowerEdge T300(listed on the VMWare list as compatible system), does it mean that the NIC card will work too? Or will I still have to worry about each individual components compatibility?

Thank you for reading.

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7 Replies
howie
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

there is an HCL guide, you should be able to google out fairly easily.

most intel and broadcom Gigabit NICs are supported, but there might be exceptions ...

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apurbabala
Contributor
Contributor

Hello,

i am also having same problem (Failed to load lmdriver ) during ESXi4.0 installation on my PC (HW detail is given below).

H/W details:

Intel(R) Pentium (R) Dual CPU

E2160 @ 1.80 GHz; with built Gigabit lan.

RAM-2GB; SATA HDD (160GB)

I have got some idea from the other posts of this community. someone

told to try by changing the NIC card. I tried with 3Com, Prolinks-

Realtech chipset NICs (all NIC r are 100Mbps except the built-in one .

It's GE) but din't get any outcome of those changes. Still having same

error "Faild to load lmdriver.

Can anybody give any correct sugession/advise please, sothat i can use ESXi 4.0 with my existing HW.

Kind regards..

Apurba // Email- apurba.bala@gmail.com

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Dave_Mishchenko
Immortal
Immortal

You want to look at an Intel Pro 1000 or Broadcom 57xx NIC to add. For a full list of what ESXi can see for NICs see vm-help.com. There are no drivers for the NICs you've mentioned.




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.

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apurbabala
Contributor
Contributor

Hello Dave,

Thanks a lot for your reply.

The built in NIC which i used is Realtek RTL8168/8111 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet NIC. Does it should support for ESXi 4.

waiting for your kind respond please

Regards...

Apurba // apurba.bala@gmail.com

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Dave_Mishchenko
Immortal
Immortal

There's no realtek driver. See the list here - http://www.vm-help.com/esx40i/Hardware_support.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.

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apurbabala
Contributor
Contributor

Hello Dave,

Thanks for your continuous and prompt helpful reply. Today again i have tried with broadcom NIC and it's showing the same error during installing. What is your further suggestion in this regard.

One more thing is there any way that how i can install broadcom/or any other NIC card's driver before installing of ESXi4.0 ?

Regards...

Apurba

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gorto
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Is it possible to disable the onboard ethernet controller (from the BIOS settings) before the install?

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