Windows OS performance issues and loss of network access with Jumbo Frames set on Vmxnet3 in vSphere 5.0

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

VMware has identified an issue where Windows guest operating systems suffer performance issues and a possible loss of network access when jumbo frames are set within the guest while using the vmxnet3 driver.

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi 5.0

Resolution

This issue is resolved in ESXi 5.0 Update 1. Download ESXi 5.0 Update 1 from the vSphere Download Center.

To work around this issue:

• If you are upgrading from ESX/i 4.x, keep the current version of VMware Tools as it does not experience this issue.
• If you deploy a new virtual machine, choose the e1000 or VMXNET2 (Enhanced) adapters.