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VmWare static MAC question on VM

We have one VM that had some networking issues this past weekend. We fixed the problem by vmotioning the server from host1 to host4. Host1 shows no issues or NIC problems. However, the one exception about this VM is that it is assigned a static MAC address inside Windows. That was done originally to solve an application licensing issue when we originally P2V'd it. My question, is that every now(and other VM's that are on the same host as this VM) and then we have issues with this VM and losing network packets, etc. Could having a static MAC address inside Windows(it was the MAC originally from the physical) cause some sort of routing issues? The VM Nic itself has a VmWare assigned MAC address, but the OS has a different MAC. If so, how can we fix?

za_mkh

You would need to probably modify your VMX file with the MAC address that you use. That could help.
Don't know if you use ESX / Virtual Center, but the following link will show you how even if you are using VMWare server. .
http://virtrix.blogspot.com/2007/04/vmware-configuring-static-mac-address.html

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za_mkh

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alaskannative

ASKER

Actually, that is a good solution, but for this particular server, the app owner doesn't know what exactly is tied to the MAC address. All he knows is that when we dynamically assign one, it breaks IIS and other FTP jobs. So, its not like a traditional licensing to MAC address problem. Even if I gave him a static MAC in the VmWare range, he wouldn't know where to configure it to keep the app or FTP jobs from bombing.

za_mkh

Ah that's fantastic! Hopefully the installed software (add/remove programs list) on the server would be a clue as to what it could be? Or browsing the IIS websites installed on the server could hopefully narrow it down...