VMware ESXi 4X does not see Intel Quad-Port or Dual-Port NIC - Intel Ethernet Dual-Port or Quad-Port Server Adapter

Resolving The Problem

Source

RETAIN tip: H204669

Symptom

After installing one or more of the affected Intel Ethernet adapters with a server running any version of VMware ESXi Version 4.x, the Network Interface Controller (NIC) will not be detected by the Operating System.

For example, using the vSphere Client to access the host, go to "Configuration tab", "Network Adapters". No Intel adapters will be shown by the VMware ESXi V4.x Operating System.

Affected configurations

The system is configured with at least one of the following:

• VMware ESX Server 4.0, any Update
• VMware ESX Server 4.1, any Update
• VMware ESXi 4.0 Embedded, any Update
• VMware ESXi 4.0 Installable, any Update
• VMware ESXi 4.1 Embedded, any Update
• VMware ESXi 4.1 Installable, any Update

The system is configured with one or more of the following IBM Options:

• Intel Ethernet Dual-Port Server Adapter I340-T2 for IBM System x, Option part number 49Y4230, replacement part number 49Y4232
• Intel Ethernet Quad-Port Server Adapter I340-T4 for IBM System x, Option part number 49Y4240, replacement part number 49Y4242

This tip is not system specific.

Note: This does not imply that the network operating system will work under all combinations of hardware and software.

Please see the compatibility page for more information: http://www.ibm.com/systems/info/x86servers/serverproven/compat/us/

Solution

Download the device driver for the Intel NICs from VMware's web site:

• http://downloads.vmware.com/d/details/dt_esxi4x_intel_10g_825xx/ZHcqYnQldypidGR3

• The driver is contained within the downloaded ISO file. You can use the ISO package during the initial install. Otherwise, for existing VMware ESXi V4, you will use the vSphere Command Line Interface (CLI) package. You can perform this update from a guest account which has the CD or ISO package mounted, or any system that has network access to the host that is being updated.

In the ISO package, you will see the following files/directories:

Follow these steps using the vSphere CLI package.

1. Using vSphere Client or Vcenter, put the host into maintenance mode.
   
2. Start the "ESX" or "ESXi host".
   
3. Place the driver CD in the CD-ROM drive of the host on which either the vSphere CLI package is installed.
4. Mount the driver CD or copy its contents to the guest or system that will be used to perform driver installation task.
   
5. Navigate to <CD mount point>/offline-bundle/ and locate the <offline-bundle>.zip file.
   
6. Run the vihostupdate command to install drivers using the offline bundle.
   
   

   vihostupdate <conn_options> --install --bundle <offline-bundle>.zip

For more details on vihostupdate, see the vSphere Command-Line Interface Installation and Reference Guide:

• http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_vcli.pdf

1. After installing the driver, you will be prompted to restart the host system. After restarting, take the host out of maintenance mode.
   
2. From vSphere Client or Vcenter, access "Configuration", "Network Adapters".
   

All Intel NICs should be displayed.

Additional information

The device driver for the following adapters is not provided with the VMware 4x install media:

• Intel Ethernet Dual-Port Server Adapter I340-T2 for IBM System x, Option part number 49Y4230
• Intel Ethernet Quad-Port Server Adapter I340-T4 for IBM System x, Option part number 49Y4240