PowerEdge: iDRAC BMC Network Interface Has DHCP Assigned Address With ISM on ESX8

Summary: When installing or restarting the ISM 5.1.1 on an ESXi 8.x environment, the VMK interface for BMC_Network vSwitch gets configured with a DHCP assigned address instead of static.

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Symptoms

The DHCP configuration change on the BMC network in ESX8 may create problems where firewall or security configurations rely on a specific static IP for the VMkernel interface.

Cause

This condition is a result of how iSM and ESX8 both manage the BMC network:

  • iSM Installation/Restart Process: During its installation or restart, iSM checks for the presence of BMC_Network vSwitch
  • Existing BMC_Network vSwitch: If BMC_Network vSwitch is already present, iSM continues with iDRAC communication without changing the network setup.
  • No BMC_Network vSwitch:  iSM creates the virtual switch and assign a static IP to the vmk interface connected to it.
  • DHCP Assignment by ESXi: If ESXi creates the BMC network switch, it assigns DHCP to the vmk interface connected to it.

Resolution

To switch from a DHCP-assigned address to a static IP, remove the BMC vSwitch. iSM will re-create the BMC switch with a static configuration upon its next restart or installation.

Steps To Remove the BMC vSwitch:

  1. Identify the BMC Network vSwitch:

    • List all vSwitches on the ESXi host to identify the BMC Network vSwitch  
      esxcli network vswitch standard list

  2. Identify and Remove VMkernel Interfaces Connected to the BMC Network:

    • Find VMkernel interfaces connected to the BMC vSwitch 
      esxcli network ip interface list
    • Remove identified VMkernel interfaces  
      esxcli network ip interface remove --interface-name=<vmkNIC>
      Substitute <vmkNIC> with the identified interface name.

  3. Delete the BMC Network vSwitch:

    • After removing all identified VMkernel interfaces, Delete the vSwitch. 
      esxcli network vswitch standard remove --vswitch-name=<vSwitchName>
      Substitute <vSwitchName> with appropriate name.

  4. Restart iSM Service or Install the iSM VIB if Not Installed:

    • Restart the iSM service if it is installed. If iSM is not installed, install the iSM VIB using the appropriate command for your environment. For example: 
      esxcli software vib install -d /ISM-Dell-Web-5.1.1.0-3080.VIB-ESX8i-Live_A00.zip 

  5. Confirm IP Assignment as Static:

    • Verify that VMkernel interfaces have a static IP assignment by listing their configurations. 
      esxcfg-vmknic -l
    • Ensure the "Type" column for the interfaces of interest (e.g., management network, iDRAC network) indicates a static setup.

Affected Products

iDRAC Service Module, VMware ESXi 8.x

Products

iDRAC9, PowerEdge XR2, Poweredge C4140, PowerEdge C6420, PowerEdge C6520, PowerEdge C6525, PowerEdge C6615, PowerEdge C6620, PowerEdge FC640, PowerEdge M640, PowerEdge M640 (for PE VRTX), PowerEdge MX740C, PowerEdge MX750c, PowerEdge MX760c , PowerEdge MX840C, PowerEdge R240, PowerEdge R250, PowerEdge R260, PowerEdge R340, PowerEdge R350, PowerEdge R360, PowerEdge R440, PowerEdge R450, PowerEdge R540, PowerEdge R550, PowerEdge R640, PowerEdge R6415, PowerEdge R650, PowerEdge R650xs, PowerEdge R6515, PowerEdge R6525, PowerEdge R660, PowerEdge R660xs, PowerEdge R6615, PowerEdge R6625, PowerEdge R740, PowerEdge R740XD, PowerEdge R740XD2, PowerEdge R7415, PowerEdge R7425, PowerEdge R750, PowerEdge R750XA, PowerEdge R750xs, PowerEdge R7515, PowerEdge R7525, PowerEdge R760, PowerEdge R760XA, PowerEdge R760xd2, PowerEdge R760xs, PowerEdge R7615, PowerEdge R7625, PowerEdge R840, PowerEdge R860, PowerEdge R940, PowerEdge R940xa, PowerEdge R960, PowerEdge T140, PowerEdge T150, PowerEdge T160, PowerEdge T340, PowerEdge T350, PowerEdge T360, PowerEdge T440, PowerEdge T550, PowerEdge T560, PowerEdge T640, PowerEdge XR11, PowerEdge XR12, PowerEdge XR4510c, PowerEdge XR4520c, PowerEdge XR5610, PowerEdge XR7620, PowerEdge XR8610t, PowerEdge XR8620t ...
Article Properties
Article Number: 000221985
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 12 May 2025
Version:  2
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