When modifying a virtual machine, the error "Number of virtual devices exceeds the maximum for a given controller" is generated

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

• A virtual machine is being created or edited.
• A large number of the same type of virtual devices are being configured on the virtual machine...for example, adding more than 10 vNICs/port groups to a single VM.
• Immediately after trying to save the changes to the virtual machine, the following error is generated:
  
  Number of virtual devices exceeds the maximum for a given controller
  
  
• An existing virtual machine will retain the previous configuration.
• A new virtual machine will not be created.

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi 6.x/7.x/8.x/9.x

Cause

A number of virtual devices exceeding the maximum for that virtual device type are configured on the virtual machine. ESXi will not permit the change to be saved.

Resolution

This is expected behavior.

When creating/configuring a virtual machine, the configuration maximums must be adhered to.

Additional Information

Configuration Maximums