ESXCLI Basics: Troubleshooting Management Network Connection on ESXi 5.x

Another quick post about ESXCLI basics. Here is a procedure how to quickly recover the Management Network functionality on your ESXi host.

1. First, login through iLO or iDRAC or iRMC, whatever remote management solution your server is equipped with.
2. Press F2 on Direct Console UI, provide the root password and enable ESXi Shell via Troubleshooting Options.
3. Press ALT+F1 and log in.
4. List vmkernel interfaces: # esxcli network ip interface list
5. Remove vmkernel interface(s): # esxcli network ip interface remove –i vmkX (where X is the vmk# you want to remove)
6. List portgroups: # esxcli network vswitch standard portgroup list
7. Remove Management Network portgroup: # esxcli network vswitch standard portgroup remove –p ‘Management Network’ –v vSwitchX (where X is the vSwitch number)
8. Remove vmnics: # esxcli network vswitch standard uplink remove –u vmnicX –v vSwitchX (where X is the uplink number and vSwitch number)
9. Add new Management Network portgroup: # esxcli network vswitch standard portgroup add –p ‘Management Network’ –v vSwitchX
10. Add new vmkernel interface: # esxcli network ip interface add –i vmk0 –p ‘Management Network’ –m 1500
11. Configure the new vmkernel interface: # esxcli network ip interface ipv4 set –i vmk0 –I <IP_address> -N <Network_Mask> -t static
12. Add vmnics: # esxcli network vswitch standard uplink add –u vmic0 –v vSwitch0
13. Next, type: # exit
14. Press ALT+F2 to return to DCUI and login if necessary.
15. Disable ESXi Shell.
16. Restart the Management Network.
17. Logout.

Done! 🙂

Reconnect the host to vCenter Server to finalize the configuration.

Cheers!

– Marek.Z