unable to access windows server 2019 VM configured with smart card authentication

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

After an update to vmware tools, a new network adapters was automatically added to the VM, causing the VM to automatically assign an APIPA address

VM is configured to authenticate with smart card only.

Trying to authentication with: .\administrator account does not work

Environment

VMware vCenter Server 8.0x

VMware vCenter Server 7.0x

Cause

ghost network adapter found in windows server device manager

Resolution

1. rebooted the VM in windows Safe Mode (w/ Networking) mode (this allowed smart card authentication to be by-passed and to login with the administrator account
2. remove any ghost network adapters
3. configure correct static IP/ FQDN addresses
4. reboot the VM 

 

Additional Information

Note, if the windows server VM is booting and is operation, the issue is outside of vSphere