topic Re: ESXi no network device found in ESXi Discussions

ESXi no network device found

jhmc93 — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 23:38:25 GMT

Hello every time I try to install esxi 7.0 I get an error saying " no network device found " can someone help? thanks

Re: ESXi no network device found

Kahonu84 — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 23:42:18 GMT

need more to go on than that

Re: ESXi no network device found

scott28tt — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 07:04:07 GMT

Check here for NIC compatibility: https://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/search.php?deviceCategory=io

Re: ESXi no network device found

jhmc93 — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 11:11:27 GMT

Hi,

I'm new to all this

When I install the esxi I get the following message

Screenshot:

Re: ESXi no network device found

vxprthu — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 11:24:33 GMT

HI,

There could be many reasons for your issue, but it looks driver issue. (if we assume that have network card in your machine)

First, please check that your hardware is on the compatibility list (link was already shared before)

Second, if the server is on the list, and you are aware of the hardware vendor, please download and use the vendor specific esxi installer image. It can be downloaded from VMware or the vendor site as well.

Third, if the hardware is not supported, you may try the community nic driver from flings site.

Otherwise, please share more details for better understanding you environment.

Re: ESXi no network device found

jhmc93 — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 11:36:25 GMT

My network driver is a Realtek,

i have installed windows 10 and that’s what my driver is shown as,

like I said before I’m new to this so help would be appreciated.

Re: ESXi no network device found

scott28tt — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 13:20:06 GMT

Realtek isn't listed as a brand in the compatibility tool I linked to before, if you had used the link you would know that.

So they're not supported. Add an additional NIC to your system which is supported.

Re: ESXi no network device found

ptarnawski — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 13:21:56 GMT

From the description looks like you are building a home lab as you mentioned Windows 10 and Realtek driver. If I suspect correctly , do you use workstation pro or virtual box?

Have you added NIC to your ESXi?

Have you created your virtual network?

Have a look here: installing ESXI on the local PC

Re: ESXi no network device found

jhmc93 — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 15:52:16 GMT

Hello,

Sorry for the confusion,

I installed windows 10 to see what network driver I was using on the PC.

I am trying to install ESXi on a freshly formatted hard drive but run into the above problem.

I hope this makes more sense

Regards

Re: ESXi no network device found

ptarnawski — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 15:57:24 GMT

Where are you installing ESXi, on the bare metal server or on a Workstation?

Re: ESXi no network device found

jhmc93 — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 16:01:03 GMT

one of these:

Re: ESXi no network device found

ptarnawski — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 16:50:07 GMT

ok, then there is a compatibility issue with your network card as previously mentioned. Try maybe to search for different drivers for a network card.

Re: ESXi no network device found

jhmc93 — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 22:42:31 GMT

Great,

so there’s no work around?

Re: ESXi no network device found

vxprthu — Fri, 29 Jul 2022 08:41:54 GMT

This is a desktop pc, direct esxi install/run is not supported.

You may try to add a compatible PCI Network card, or try the community network driver.

But i recommend to install a windows and use vmware workstation.

Re: ESXi no network device found

ptarnawski — Fri, 29 Jul 2022 09:42:21 GMT

there is one:

create a custom ISO with the drivers of your particular Realtek or any other NIC

here:

https://williamlam.com/2022/02/how-to-create-a-customized-esxi-iso-without-vcenter-server.html

Re: ESXi no network device found

jhmc93 — Fri, 29 Jul 2022 11:54:17 GMT

I used the instructions found in this link:

https://4sysops.com/archives/using-esxi-iso-image-builder-with-vmware-vsphere-70-update-2/

I used VMware workstation to do all this

I am still clueless how to add my network to the iso.

regards

Re: ESXi no network device found

ptarnawski — Fri, 29 Jul 2022 12:06:51 GMT

With Workstation, it will work!

I am using Realtek with Workstation and built a home lab.

So once you have Workstation up and running follow this :

https://angrysysops.com/2022/03/12/build-a-home-lab-using-your-local-pc-part-1-installing-esxi-servers-on-local-pc/

Re: ESXi no network device found

jhmc93 — Fri, 29 Jul 2022 12:57:33 GMT

Do I need the ip bit at the beginning?