How to assign a local IP address in ESXi?

How to Assign a Local IP in ESXi?

VMware ESXi is a server virtualization platform that allows you to run multiple virtual machines (VMs) on a single server. The ESXi host itself must also be connected to a network, and it needs an IP address for this connection. This IP address is used to access and manage the ESXi host and to allow virtual machines to connect to the network. In this article, you will learn step-by-step how to assign a local IP address to an ESXi host.

Importance of Assigning an IP Address in ESXi

Assigning a correct IP address to the ESXi host is critical for the proper functioning of the virtualization environment. Here are some reasons:

• Accessibility: The IP address allows you to access the ESXi host with management tools such as vSphere Client or vSphere Web Client. Without a correct IP address, it will not be possible to manage and configure the host.
• Network Connectivity: The ESXi host must have a correct IP address for virtual machines to connect to the network. Virtual machines connect to the network using the ESXi host's network interface.
• DNS Resolution: The ESXi host needs a correct IP address and network configuration to access DNS servers and resolve domain names to IP addresses. This is important for downloading updates, connecting to remote servers, and using other network services.
• vMotion and High Availability (HA): ESXi hosts must have properly configured networks for advanced features such as vMotion and HA to function properly.

Methods for Assigning an IP Address to an ESXi Host

There are several different ways to assign an IP address to an ESXi host:

• Direct Console User Interface (DCUI): You can assign an IP address using a monitor and keyboard directly connected to the ESXi host. This method is useful when you do not have access to vSphere Client or during initial setup.
• vSphere Client or vSphere Web Client: You can assign an IP address to the ESXi host remotely using vSphere Client or vSphere Web Client. This method is more practical when managing multiple ESXi hosts.
• ESXi Command Line Interface (CLI): You can assign an IP address from the command line using the ESXi CLI. This method is suitable for automation and scripts.

Method 1: Assigning an IP Address from the Direct Console User Interface (DCUI)

This method is used when you have physical access to the ESXi host. Here are the steps:

1. Restart the ESXi host or access the console.
2. On the console, use the arrow keys on your keyboard to find the yellow "Customize System/View Logs" menu and press Enter.
3. Select "Configure Management Network" and press Enter.
4. Select "IP Configuration" and press Enter.
5. Select "Set static IPv4 address and network configuration" and press Enter.
6. Enter the IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway.
7. Press Enter to save the changes.
8. Select "DNS Configuration" and press Enter.
9. Enter the IP addresses of the primary and secondary DNS servers.
10. Enter the hostname.
11. Press Enter to save the changes.
12. Restart the ESXi host to apply the configuration.

Method 2: Assigning an IP Address with vSphere Client or vSphere Web Client

This method is used when you have remote access to the ESXi host. Here are the steps:

1. Open vSphere Client or vSphere Web Client and connect to the ESXi host.
2. Select the ESXi host.
3. Click on the "Configure" tab.
4. In the "Networking" section, select "VMkernel adapters".
5. Select the "Management Network" (or a similar name) VMkernel adapter.
6. Click the "Edit" icon.
7. Click on the "IPv4 settings" tab.
8. Select "Use static IPv4 address".
9. Enter the IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway.
10. Click on the "DNS settings" tab.
11. Enter the IP addresses of the primary and secondary DNS servers.
12. Click the "OK" button.

Method 3: Assigning an IP Address with the ESXi Command Line Interface (CLI)

This method is used when you want to assign an IP address using the command line. Here are the steps:

1. Connect to the ESXi host via SSH or log in directly to the console.
2. Assign the IP address using the following commands:

First, find out the name of the VMkernel adapter:

esxcfg-vmknic -l

This command will display a list of existing VMkernel adapters. It is usually named "vmk0" or "Management Network".

Then, use the following command to assign the IP address (replace vmk0 with the name of your VMkernel adapter):

esxcfg-vmknic -i 192.168.1.10 -n 255.255.255.0 -g 192.168.1.1 vmk0

This command assigns the IP address 192.168.1.10, the subnet mask 255.255.255.0, and the default gateway 192.168.1.1 to the vmk0 adapter.

To configure DNS servers, use the following commands:

esxcli network ip dns server add -s 8.8.8.8

esxcli network ip dns server add -s 8.8.4.4

These commands configure the 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 DNS servers.

To change the hostname, use the following command:

esxcli system hostname set --fqdn=esxi.example.com

This command changes the hostname to esxi.example.com.

Finally, restart the network services:

services.sh restart

Important Notes and Tips

• IP Address Conflict: When assigning an IP address, make sure that no other device on your network is using the same IP address. An IP address conflict can cause network problems.
• Subnet Mask: The subnet mask determines which IP addresses on your network are on the same network. Using a correct subnet mask ensures that network communication works properly.