VMware How To Reorder an ESXi Host's vmnic

Summary: ESXi vmnic numbering does not match the vNIC numbering.

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Instructions

ESXi vmnic numbering does not match the vNIC numbering.

This can be verified by comparing the MAC addresses. If there is a situation similar to the following, then the vmnic numbering must be reordered:

MAC address vNIC vmnic
00:xx:xx:01:A4:00 vNIC-0 vmnic0
00:xx:xx:01:B4:00 vNIC-1 vmnic1
00:xx:xx:02:A4:00 vNIC-2 vmnic2
00:xx:xx:02:B4:00 vNIC-3 vmnic4
00:xx:xx:03:A4:00 vNIC-4 vmnic3
00:xx:xx:03:B4:00 vNIC-5 vmnic5


vmnic3 and vmnic4 must be swapped so that they are mapped to the correct vNIC.



Resolution:
  1. SSH to the affected host, and log in as root
  2. Run command:
localcli --plugin-dir /usr/lib/vmware/esxcli/int/ deviceInternal alias list
If the alias mismatches the bus address, watch the video in the additional info section for the needed corrective action.

Additional Information

Steps to fix Alias and Bus address mismatch.
 

Affected Products

Converged Infrastructure, VxBlock and Vblock Systems, PowerFlex rack, ScaleIO, VxBlock and vBlock Systems Series
Article Properties
Article Number: 000193885
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 23 May 2025
Version:  4
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