VMkernel Network Interface Addition Fails with Error: Unable to add Vmkernel network interface Error was :Error retrieving Vmkernel List Invalid IP NetMask 55.255.254.0

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

When a VMkernel interface is configured with an incorrect IP NetMask, below errors may occur during operations such as listing VMkernel interfaces, editing the configuration, or attempting to add/remove the VMkernel interface.

• Invalid IP NetMask 55.255.254.0
  • 
• Error getting VMkernel NIC for portgroup Management Network Error was: Invalid Ip Netmask: 55.255.254.0
  
  • 
• Error: Unable to add/remove Vmkernel network interface Error was :Error retrieving Vmkernel List Invalid IP NetMask 55.255.254.0
  • 

Note: The IP NetMask 55.255.254.0 shown in the screenshots and error messages is intentionally configured incorrectly for the purpose of this KB. The incorrect IP NetMask value in your environment may vary depending on what was entered.

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi

Cause

The vSwitch configuration has become corrupted, which prevents any modifications to the VMkernel interface.

Resolution

Due to the configuration corruption, the only viable method to resolve the issue is to Reset the System Configuration of the  ESXi host’s via the DCUI. For more information on the same refer to the following document: Reset the System Configuration

Nonetheless, you may attempt the following steps if the system permits, although these actions are likely to result in the errors described earlier.

• Restore Standard Switch option from DCUI
  • In most of the cases that may be greyed out as shown below,
    • 
  • Restore Network Settings option from the DCUI may trigger the error: 'Auto-configuring network. Failed.'
    •