Windows Server 2008
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How to install SBS 2011 on ESXi with vmxnet3 NIC
Hi all
I am trying to install a SBS 2011 Std virtual machine. I specified the vmxnet3 NIC and am aware that Windows doesn't support this driver until after VM Tools has been installed. The initial part of the installation completes okay but then complains that no network card is found, and I can browse or use Device Manager to find the drivers. At this point I try to install the VM Tools but nothing happens. In Vcenter right clicking the SBS machine, Guest, I see an option "End VMware Tools Install". It doesn't get any further.
I downloaded the vmtools ISO CD and mounted that in the VM, selected browse and ran Setup64.exe which started the vmtools installation, I saw the files getting extracted then it hung again. Its a new HP DL380p Gen8 server and apart from the vcenter server its the first VM. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Alasdair
I am trying to install a SBS 2011 Std virtual machine. I specified the vmxnet3 NIC and am aware that Windows doesn't support this driver until after VM Tools has been installed. The initial part of the installation completes okay but then complains that no network card is found, and I can browse or use Device Manager to find the drivers. At this point I try to install the VM Tools but nothing happens. In Vcenter right clicking the SBS machine, Guest, I see an option "End VMware Tools Install". It doesn't get any further.
I downloaded the vmtools ISO CD and mounted that in the VM, selected browse and ran Setup64.exe which started the vmtools installation, I saw the files getting extracted then it hung again. Its a new HP DL380p Gen8 server and apart from the vcenter server its the first VM. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Alasdair
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You must first install SBS 2011, using the Windows 2008 R2 Template, using the E1000 network interface.
Once the install has completed, Install VMware Tools, and then replace/add a new network interface of type VMXNET3.
Once the install has completed, Install VMware Tools, and then replace/add a new network interface of type VMXNET3.
I modified my approach slightly. At the halfway point when the no NICs were found I left that screen open and connected the CD to the VMware tools.ISO and browsed to it and ran setup.exe (not Setup64.exe as I did before) and the tools installed perfectly. When asked to reboot I reconnected back to the SBS ISO before rebooting.
I would always recommend installing VMware Tools, after the OS installation has been completed.
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I agree but the installation will not complete without a NIC. The installation is still in progress, I will install the tools again when the OS is completely installed.
Thanks.
Thanks.
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Thanks hanccocka for the proper way to do the installation. Better than my fudge.
Alasdair
Alasdair
Windows Server 2008
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Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2, based on the Microsoft Vista codebase, is the last 32-bit server operating system released by Microsoft. It has a number of versions, including including Foundation, Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter, Web, HPC Server, Itanium and Storage; new features included server core installation and Hyper-V.