VM vNIC in disconnected state from VC UI.

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

A VM attached to an ephemeral DV-portgroup has no network connectivity after reboot via PowerCLI or Host UI.

Environment

vSphere 6.X
vSphere 7.X
vSphere 8.X

Cause

PowerCLI Start-VM or Power ON from host UI does not connect vNIC in ephemeral portgroup, but does show connected in host client. However, the VM is unreachable, and there is no switchport assigned.
The issue will be hit only when the VM power-on happens between the first and second host sync, and vCenter is up and running. The interval of host sync is 10 seconds.

Resolution

(1) Execute the power on/off from vCenter, instead from the host.
(2) If (1) is not possible, wait for 20 seconds after the power off, and then execute the power on.