Realtek Nic support for ESX 4.1 U1

[ileidi]

Dear Guys,

I will install Vsphere ESX 4.1 U1 on a new PC with an Asus motherboard with Intel I5 CPU for test purpose. I have a problem in the Installation Process because Vmware ESX 4.1 didn't recognize the NIC installed on the Computer (Realtek Gigabit RTL8112L). I saw that some people was able to create a custom Installation CD for ESXi (not ESX) with additional drivers. Anyone made this experience with ESX 4.1 (not ESXi)?

Best Regards

Ferrari Andrea

[MauroBonder]

This realtek maybe not supported by HCL of VMware. But have this matrix http://www.vm-help.com//esx40i/esx40_whitebox_HCL.php i saw, and 8111 is compatible but 8112 not.

Please, don't forget the awarding points for "helpful" and/or "correct" answers. 

Mauro Bonder - Moderator

[parknook]

Given how many motherboards now come with the Realtek 8111 NIC I cannot help but feel that VMware are missing out on a trick here.   Although I realise that VMware's bread and butter is the coroporate world and they tend to use Intel NIC's, today's potential VMware hobbiest could be tomorrow's VMware specialist.

If somebody has an "old" machine looking for a new purpose but it has a Realtek NIC then they may decide not to bother using it for VMware.

And how many years have people been asking for this - 2 maybe 3, it cannot be that hard to put this into the next release.

[Linjo]

It seems that some of the realtek nic:s will work with vSphere5, have  a look here:

http://www.kendrickcoleman.com/index.php?/Tech-Blog/realtek-8111e-works-with-vmware-vsphere-5.html

I think its very likly that yours will also work.

vSphere5 is not released yet but it should not be very long before its available for download.

// Linjo

[DSTAVERT]

The big reason realtek isn't supported is because the chipset isn't reliable (extremely cheap which is why they are so common) This is an enterprise OS and trying to support an unreliable NIC isn't a good option.

[wgillick]

Thanks, DStavert.

That's usually the case in the testing of large or high-value systems. Reducing the variables in either the LAN or the RAID system is one way to ensure your core technology is not undermined by low-end hardware, especially when reliable Intel or Broadcom LAN components can be added in to a system for less than a hundred dollars or so.

I'm just glad that VMware strives to allow the mulititude of CPU types that Intel and AMD have produced. Their EVC modes are one concession to the profusion of processor features--that usually is out of the customer's control. But if you're using the newer technology processors (like I seem to be), you have to be careful. Sandy Bridge, etc.

Regards,

Will

DSTAVERT wrote:

The big reason realtek isn't supported is because the chipset isn't reliable (extremely cheap which is why they are so common) This is an enterprise OS and trying to support an unreliable NIC isn't a good option.

[parknook]

I see where you're coming from

I wouldn't suggest that it is used for a production environment but for home use under the "free" version it could certainly get more people using VMware.  And if people get to using VMware they are less likely to use something else like Hyper-V or Xen.   It could easily be in the T&C that use of Realtek NIC's in production environments is not supported and is purely there for home use.

[DSeaman]

Unfortunately the 8112L on my Asus Maximus III Gene MB is NOT supported by vSphere 5.0.The RealTek NIC on my P8H67-M Pro is also NOT supported by vsphere 5.0. It's an 8111E.