Install ESXi 5.5 with Realtek 8111/8168 NIC

ESXi 5.0 and 5.1 all worked fine with the common Realtek 8111/8168 series of network adapters, typically found in a variety of consumer-class motherboards. What to do in the home lab? Suddenly you can’t even install ESXi, even though you have a perfectly workable system that happens to already have Realtek onboard. Such as my very own vZilla? Yes, with 5.5, you’ll get the dreaded “No compatible network adapter found please consult Hardware Compatibility Guide for supported adapters” message. Even though you likely won’t find this chipset on the HCL, this article gets you clear of that hurtle, offering two approaches.

Software fix #1:  Inject the 5.1 driver into the 5.5 installation media.

How’s simply adding the driver from 5.1 back into your installer ISO image sound. You know, the driver that VMware has apparently taken away from 5.5. While this fix could be seen as a slight hack, it’s hardly dangerous, and can be convenient if you just want something that works. You’re likely unsupported in the home lab anyway. You’re basically just front-loading a VIB (driver bundle) that VMware’s own procedure talks you through the same approach, Installing async drivers on ESXi 5.x (2005205), Jul 24, 2013. It’s just that the VIB is about a year old, and hasn’t been tested by VMware on ESXi 5.

The demand for info on this is clearly there, with 2 excellent conversations going on right here at TinkerTry, and numerous discussions around the web on this common issue. The fix is pretty straight forward. I found a timely article just yesterday which has nicely explains how the ESXi Customer tool does its gentle massage of the ISO, even from Windows 8.1. It’s titled Adding Realtek R8168 Driver to ESXi 5.5.0 ISO by Erik on Sep 23 2013, where he points us to the correct file.

Here’s a copy of the exact VMware_bootbank_net-r8168_8.013.00-3vmw.510.0.0.799733.vib file. For Chrome, that’s done by Right-clicking the URL above, then choosing Save As…That’s the exact file I used for my RTL8111E.

Software fix #2:  Add the VIB to an existing ESXi 5.5 installation

Assuming you somehow got ESXi 5.5 going already, say with another brand of NIC, then the below article should get you through simply adding the VIB,
Realtek 8169 NIC in ESXi 5.5 not detected by default – install a VIB by Vladan Seget on Sep 30 2013.

Hardware fix #1:  Get a supported, modern, multi-port gigabit NIC.

If using injection leaves you uneasy, then investing in a NIC that’s likely to stay support for many years to come might be another way to go. Such as the much newer Intel I350T2 Dual Port Ethernet Server Adapter on Amazon or Newegg for around $135 USD, with specs nicely laid out on Intel’s comparison grid. It’s moderately pricey, but has a small form factor, 2 ports, low watt burn, and all the latest virtualization features. Intel lists the specs here, and the VMware Compatibility Guide is over here. I’ve tested the I350T2 with 5.5, (also pictured above) and it works well. I’ll be writing up in a separate I350T2 article soon. While it’s unlikely I’ll be fully leveraging the advanced virtualization features like SR-IOV, at least driver support probably be one less thing to worry about for years to come, since this chip was relatively recently released in 1Q2012. Can’t know for sure, though. Honestly, this is all just a stop-gap until 10 gigabit is affordable, on affordable motherboards, and on VMware’s Hardware Compatibility list…Hmm, then again, that could be quite a while. Just some food for thought.

Oct 01 2013 Update:

Very relevant, spot-on post by Vladan yesterday (with new software fix section added above). You’ll want to read the whole article,
Realtek 8169 NIC in ESXi 5.5 not detected by default – install a VIB by Vladan Seget on Sep 30 2013, where he states:

VMware did strip down many drivers from the ESXi 5.5 ISO, and additionally, they do not provide the Offline bundle for ESXi 5.5 free version.

VMware provides full list of hardware which is “deprecated” in the ESXi 5.5. Here is VMware KB listing all unsupported NICs – Devices deprecated and unsupported in ESXi 5.5.

Hopefully this post help someone who was in the same situation. Good option is to go for Intel based NICs which in most cases are supported. The best option is to check the VMware HCL before buying a NIC, still.