ESXi Host Network Isolation After Applying Host Profile

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

When applying a Host Profile with Network configurations, an ESXi host can sometimes be seen becoming inaccessible on the network. 

Environment

VMware ESXi

VMware vCenter Server

Cause

VMNICs/Uplinks are not configured. By design a host profile will wipe network settings and re-write the ones that are specified in the configuration. If nothing is specified, the Host Profile will remove the current configuration and replace it with nothing. 

 

Resolution

To restore connectivity: https://techdocs.broadcom.com/us/en/vmware-cis/vsphere/vsphere/8-0/vsphere-networking-8-0/troubleshooting-networking-configurations/lost-connectivity-to-a-vcenter-server-on-a-vsphere-distributed-switch.html

When re-applying the Host Profile, ensure that you've configured VMNICs or Uplinks (on a Distributed Switch) on the Host Profile so the host maintains connectivity after being isolated.