Verifying virtual network adapter is present and connected to the virtual machine

Products

• VMware vCenter Server
• VMware vSphere ESXi
• VMware vSphere ESXi 7.0
• VMware vSphere ESXi 8.0
• VMware vCenter Server 7.0

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:

Network connectivity issues within a virtual machine.

Environment

VMware vCenter Server 6.0.x
VMware vSphere ESXi 6.0
VMware vSphere ESXi 6.5
VMware vCenter Server 6.5.x
VMware vSphere ESXi 6.7
VMware vCenter Server 6.7.x
VMware vCenter Server 7.0.x
VMware vSphere ESXi 7.0
VMware vCenter Server 8.0.x
VMware vSphere ESXi 8.0

Resolution

If a particular virtual machine is experiencing network connectivity issues, the virtual network adapter for the virtual machine must be checked to ensure that it is present and connected.

To check the virtual network adapter using the vSphere/Virtual Infrastructure Client:

1. In the vSphere/ Virtual Infrastructure Client, right-click the virtual machine in question and select Edit Settings.
2. Highlight the virtual network adapter in the list of virtual hardware
3. Under Device Status, ensure that Connected (if virtual machine is powered on) and Connect at power on are selected.
4. In the Network Connection dropdown, ensure the appropriate network is selected

To add a network adapter to the virtual hardware list:

1. Click Add.
2. Select Ethernet Adapter and click Next
3. From the dropdown select the network to which this virtual network adapter must be connected.
4. Select Connect at power on and click Next.
5. Click Finish at the summary screen to add the virtual network adapter to the virtual machine.
6. Click OK at the Virtual Machine Properties page.
   
   Note: If the VM is part of vDS then you cannot edit /modify for the VM when the VC is down. 

Additional Information

If there are no network adapters available, verify and ensure that VMware Tools is installed.

 

For more information, see:

• General VMware Tools installation instructions (1014294)