Additional Physical Network Adapters on VMware ESXi 3.5 host

[VictorSD541]

I would like to add additional physical network adapters to VMware ESX 3.5 (Update 3) host. I have installed two PCIe Intel server NICs (E1G42ET) in to HP ProLiant DL 380 server G5. Both of the NIC cards recognized by the BIOS of the server .

After logging in to VMware VI Client I can not see or add new cards.

Also, new hardware not visible in ESX console of the host.

Not sure if NIC card drivers need be installed manually?

[chill]

Have you checked the HCL to see if the nics are compatible??

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[Texiwill]

Hello,

Moved to the ESXi forum.

Best regards,

Edward L. Haletky

VMware Communities User Moderator

====

Author of the book 'VMWare ESX Server in the Enterprise: Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers', Copyright 2008 Pearson Education.

SearchVMware Blog: http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/virtualization-pro/

Blue Gears Blogs - http://www.itworld.com/ and http://www.networkworld.com/community/haletky

As well as the Virtualization Wiki at http://www.astroarch.com/wiki/index.php/Virtualization

[VictorSD541]

According to Intel's install manual cards support e1000 and e1000e Linux drivers. Not sure how to load or install these drivers manually? Sorry , I am new to Linux os.

Thanks.

[chill]

Don't be sorry about being new to Linux. Lots of us are. When I've added new Nics I've never had to add the drivers manually. That's the beautify of virtualization. So..... are you checking in the configuration tab under Network adapters to see if the box is recognizing them? I'm assuming the box has been rebooted since you added the cards.

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[VictorSD541]

I have restarted the server number of times and could see only pair of Broadcom built in NICs in DL380. New Intel cards not visible under configuration tab (networking or network adapters).

thanks

[Texiwill · Accepted solution]

Hello,

VMware ESX is NOT Linux it has a GNU/Linux management appliance.... ESXi does not even have that it has a Posix management appliance. Drivers for Linux will NOT work with ESX or ESXi. If The card is not no the HCL for ESX/ESXi then it will NOT work with ESX/ESXi. Generally not on the HCL implies VMware does not have a driver yet for that card. All drivers must come from VMware for both ESX and ESXi to recognize the hardware.

Best regards,

Edward L. Haletky

VMware Communities User Moderator

====

Author of the book 'VMWare ESX Server in the Enterprise: Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers', Copyright 2008 Pearson Education.

SearchVMware Blog: http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/virtualization-pro/

Blue Gears Blogs - http://www.itworld.com/ and http://www.networkworld.com/community/haletky

As well as the Virtualization Wiki at http://www.astroarch.com/wiki/index.php/Virtualization

[VictorSD541]

Thank you for your help.

Sorry ,one more question regarding hardware on ESXi. Any new supported hardware should be recognized by system (host) automatically?

[Texiwill]

Hello,

Sorry ,one more question regarding hardware on ESXi. Any new supported hardware should be recognized by system (host) automatically?

As long as the firwmware for the card is at the appropriate level, then yes.

Best regards,

Edward L. Haletky

VMware Communities User Moderator

====

Author of the book 'VMWare ESX Server in the Enterprise: Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers', Copyright 2008 Pearson Education.

SearchVMware Blog: http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/virtualization-pro/

Blue Gears Blogs - http://www.itworld.com/ and http://www.networkworld.com/community/haletky

As well as the Virtualization Wiki at http://www.astroarch.com/wiki/index.php/Virtualization