Hi,
In a need to test experiment ESXi 8.0 on my test bed setup I am out of luck. with ERROR "No network device found"
I have been trying a lot to nested install ESXi 8.0 inside my vmware workstation 8.0 but it always ends in :no network device found"
I have tried injecting a community dirver and ISO is created sucessfully with patched driver.injected driver: Net-Community-Driver_1.2.7.0-1vmw.700.1.0.15843807_19480755.zip
but installation ends with same error.
I have also tried Intel® Ethernet Adapter Complete Driver Pack which mentions VMware as OS in details but sadly it does not have any VIB and can not be injected
My NIC details are
Intel Ethernet Connection I219-LM VEN_8086 DEV_15B7
Can someone help on this issue?
You can add either
ethernet0.virtualDev = "vmxnet3"
or
ethernet0.virtualDev = "e1000e"
to the vmx configuration and then start the ESXi install.
I have no idea why your vmx is missing the vmxnet3 virtual device key-value pair. The "Create Virtual Machine" wizard automatically sets it for vmxnet3 when ESXi is chosen as the operating system type.
Hi,
looks like not supported. Take a look Community Network Driver for ESXi Documentation - VMware Technology Network VMTN
First of all, installing ESXi 8.0 as VM inside Workstation means it does not need a native driver of the host NIC. It depends on what is configured as the virtual NIC (e1000e or vmxnet3).
Second, why is Workstation 8.0 being used? Version 8.x was last updated more than 10 years ago. This version won't expose the Haswell instruction/feature set. Version 8.x also does not support virtual UEFI, no virtual SATA. Trying to create an ESXi 8.x installation inside Workstation 8.x is akin to trying to install ESXi 8.0 on physical hardware from 2008 or earlier.
Suggest you use the latest version Workstation Pro or Player 17.5.x if you want to try installing ESXi 8.0 as a VM.
It appears you're encountering difficulties testing ESXi 8.0 within VMware Workstation, receiving a "No network device found" error despite your efforts to inject community drivers and explore driver packs. Given your NIC details (Intel Ethernet Connection I219-LM), ensure compatibility with VMware Workstation and review virtual hardware settings. Consider alternative testing methods and seek assistance from the VMware community or support channels. Additionally, ensure host system drivers and firmware are up-to-date and consult VMware documentation for troubleshooting guidance. By systematically addressing these steps, you may resolve the issue and successfully test ESXi 8.0 within your VMware Workstation environment.😊
Thanks for replying
I noticed, it is a typo in my question:
"I have been trying a lot to nested install ESXi 8.0 inside my vmware workstation 8.0"
actually I meant to say mware workstation 17.5
so as you mentioned Nested ESXi does not need host NIC driver. It depends on what is configured as the virtual NIC (e1000e or vmxnet3).
I have no idea where to confirm this and may be it would be helpful in my issue
checked the link I think it is supported as appearing in table.
Intel Ethernet Connection I219-LM (VEN_8086 DEV_15B7)
Yeah but i noticed my DEV_15B7 is not appearing under product ID. Does it make unsupported?
igc-community (All devices below is now available in ESXi 8.0 and newer)
Vendor Chipset VendorID ProductID
Intel | Ethernet Connection (6) I219-LM | 0x8086 | 0x15bd |
Intel | Ethernet Connection (6) I219-V | 0x8086 | 0x15be |
Intel | Ethernet Connection (7) I219-LM | 0x8086 | 0x15bb |
Intel | Ethernet Connection (7) I219-V | 0x8086 | 0x15bc |
Intel | Ethernet Connection (10) I219-LM | 0x8086 | 0x0d4e |
Intel | Ethernet Connection (10) I219-V | 0x8086 | 0x0d4f |
Intel | Ethernet Connection (11) I219-LM | 0x8086 | 0x0d4c |
Intel | Ethernet Connection (11) I219-V | 0x8086 | 0x0d4d |
Intel | Ethernet Connection (12) I219-LM | 0x8086 | 0x0d53 |
Intel | Ethernet Connection (12) I219-V | 0x8086 | 0x0d55 |
Intel | Ethernet Connection (13) I219-LM | 0x8086 | 0x155b |
Intel | Ethernet Connection (13) I219-V | 0x8086 | 0x155c |
Intel | Ethernet Connection (13) I219-LM | 0x8086 | 0x15fb |
Intel | Ethernet Connection (13) I219-V | 0x8086 | 0x15fc |
Intel | Ethernet Connection (14) I219-LM | 0x8086 | 0x15f9 |
Intel | Ethernet Connection (14) I219-V | 0x8086 | 0x15fa |
Intel | Ethernet Connection (15) I219-LM | 0x8086 | 0x15f4 |
Intel | Ethernet Connection (15) I219-V | 0x8086 | 0x15f5 |
Intel | Ethernet Connection (16) I219-LM | 0x8086 | 0x1a1e |
Intel | Ethernet Connection (16) I219-V | 0x8086 | 0x1a1f |
Intel | Ethernet Connection (17) I219-LM | 0x8086 | 0x1a1c |
Intel | Ethernet Connection (17) I219-V | 0x8086 | 0x1a1d |
I have also tried to inject this driver too but failed:
https://vibsdepot.v-front.de/wiki/index.php/Net-e1000e
As already mentioned, it depends on what is configured in the ESXi VM. An ESXi system running as VM inside Workstation DOES NOT need the native driver of the host machine NIC. Just like a Windows VM or Linux VM running on inside Workstation, it does not install the Intel I219-LM drivers of the host.
Anyway, go to the vmx configuration file and check what is the virtualDev assigned for ethernet[n].virtualDev. If you use the Create Virtual Machine wizard in Version 17.5, it creates a vmxnet3 by default. The vmxnet3 driver should be in the ESXi ISO.
Examples:
ethernet0.virtualDev = "vmxnet3" or ethernet0.virtualDev = "e1000e"
The e1000e is a virtual Intel 82574L NIC.
https://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/detail.php?deviceCategory=io&productid=42053
Thanks for pointing:
I observed my vmx file for ESXi 8.0 for all enteries related to 'ethernet' and i found following:
ethernet0.addressType = "generated"
ethernet0.present = "TRUE"
ethernet0.pciSlotNumber = "32"
ethernet0.generatedAddress = "some MAC Address"
ethernet0.generatedAddressOffset = "0"
ethernet0.displayName = "VMnet0"
ethernet0.connectionType = "nat"
and following:
pciBridge4.virtualDev = "pcieRootPort"
pciBridge5.virtualDev = "pcieRootPort"
pciBridge6.virtualDev = "pcieRootPort"
pciBridge7.virtualDev = "pcieRootPort"
scsi0.virtualDev = "pvscsi"
but i can not find any ethernet related virtual device as you shown in example
so what next can be done?
You can add either
ethernet0.virtualDev = "vmxnet3"
or
ethernet0.virtualDev = "e1000e"
to the vmx configuration and then start the ESXi install.
I have no idea why your vmx is missing the vmxnet3 virtual device key-value pair. The "Create Virtual Machine" wizard automatically sets it for vmxnet3 when ESXi is chosen as the operating system type.
Thanks bluefirestorm for pointing out the issue. Though very small but I overlooked it.
adding suggested config made it to instsall and functioning.