ESXi DCUI Splash Screen Displays Incorrect Management IP Address
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ESXi DCUI Splash Screen Displays Incorrect Management IP Address

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Article ID: 442943

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Updated On:

Products

VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

After performing maintenance or network reconfigurations on an ESXi host, the Direct Console User Interface (DCUI) splash screen displays an unexpected management IP address (e.g., an iDRAC or storage IP) instead of the primary production management IP.

  • The vCenter Server correctly recognizes the host management IP.
  • The host may be in Maintenance Mode.
  • Verification in the vSphere Client reveals that multiple VMkernel adapters (e.g., vmk0 and vmk3) have the Management service tag enabled concurrently.

Environment

vSphere ESXi 8.0u3

Cause

The DCUI process selects one of the available management-enabled interfaces to display upon initialization. When the Management service is enabled on more than one VMkernel adapter, the DCUI may arbitrarily bind to the first discovered interface reporting the management service type. Standard architectural guidelines dictate that only a single primary VMkernel adapter should be designated for Management traffic to prevent display and routing conflicts.

Resolution

o ensure the correct IP is displayed, disable the management service on all secondary VMkernel adapters.

Via vSphere Client

  1. Log in to the vSphere Client.
  2. Navigate to Inventory > Host > Configure > Networking > VMkernel adapters.
  3. Select the secondary adapter (e.g., vmk3) that should not be used for management.
  4. Click Edit, navigate to the Services section, and uncheck the Management service.
  5. Click OK.

Via Command Line (SSH)

  1. Log in to the ESXi host via SSH.
  2. Verify the tags assigned to the VMkernel interfaces:
    esxcli network ip interface tag get -i vmk3
  3. Remove the Management tag from the secondary interface:
    esxcli network ip interface tag delete -i vmk3 -t Management

Force DCUI Refresh

If the DCUI splash screen does not update automatically, restart the management agents to force a configuration reload:

  • Via DCUI: Navigate to Troubleshooting Options > Restart Management Agents.
  • Via SSH: Execute the following commands:
    /etc/init.d/hostd restart/etc/init.d/vpxa restart

Alternatively, reboot the ESXi host if it is currently in maintenance mode.

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