ESXi host loses network connectivity when performing a stateless boot from Auto Deploy

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

• You have created a host profile from a ESXi host which has management vmkernel NIC with static IP and is connected to a Distributed Virtual Switch.
   
• You set the auto deploy rule by attaching host profile and provide the new IP address of the host which is about to boot.
   
• ESXi host loses the network connectivity when performing a stateless boot from Auto Deploy.

Cause

This issue occurs when the host profile does not apply the default gateway at boot time.

This is a known issue affecting VMware ESXi 6.5.

Resolution

This issue is resolved in VMware ESXi 6.5 Update 1.

 

To workaround this issue until you upgrade, use one of these options:

• Connect the management vmkernel NIC to a vSwitch
• Configure the DHCP to provide the ESXi with a gateway at boot time.