Creating a new vmkernel adapter on a standard or distributed virtual switch causes no interruption to existing networking

Products

• VMware vCenter Server
• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

A new vmkernel adapter is being provisioned on a standard or distributed virtual switch

Environment

• VMware vCenter Server
• VMware vSphere ESXi

Resolution

As long as the vmkernel adapter is created properly, it will not cause any interruption to existing networking on the ESXi host where it is being created.

• Ensure that the IP address assigned to the new vmkernel adapter is unique
• Do not enable the "Management" service on more than one vmkernel adapter on a single ESXi host. See How to configure NIC teaming in ESXi and ESX to allow for network redundancy on the virtual switch where the management vmkernel interface resides.

Additional Information

Create a VMkernel Adapter on a vSphere Distributed Switch