| Asset ID: |
1-79-1526024.1 |
| Update Date: | 2017-08-01 |
| Keywords: | |
Solution Type
Predictive Self-Healing Sure
Solution
1526024.1
:
Choosing and Using Virtual Machine Network Drivers in ESX/ESXi 4.x
| Related Items |
- Oracle Fabric Interconnect F1-15
- Oracle Fabric Interconnect F1-4
|
| Related Categories |
- PLA-Support>Sun Systems>SAND>Network>SN-SND: Oracle Virtual Networking
|
In this Document
Applies to:
Oracle Fabric Interconnect F1-15 - Version All Versions and later
Oracle Fabric Interconnect F1-4 - Version All Versions and later
Information in this document applies to any platform.
Purpose
Learn what virtual networking driver to use in ESX/ESXi virtual machines.
Scope
Oracle Fabric Interconnect and ESX/ESXi server and virtual machine administrators
Details
Oracle Support recommends where at all possible, to install VMware Guest OSes that support the high performance vmxnet2 (enhanced) and vmxnet3 drivers for best network throughput. There is a link at the bottom of this Oracle KB to a VMware KB that details what VMware Guest OSes support these two drivers.
The five native ESX 4.x network drivers are Intel E1000, flexible, vmxnet, vmxnet2 (enhanced) and vmxnet3. The flexible driver is a "morphing" driver that is capable of changing between the AMD PCNet driver and VMware’s high performance vmxnet paravirtualized driver. The vmxnet morphing portion of the flexible driver and enhanced vmxnet driver selection in the Virtual Infrastructure Client will only work when VMware Tools is installed in the virtual machine.
AMD PCNet is a high compatibility driver that is included in all operating systems. This driver will be installed and used by default in ESX Server virtual machines guest OSes that do not have the most recent version of VMware Tools installed. Once VMware Tools is installed, the flexible driver is capable of changing to the vmxnet driver, but can immediately "morph" itself back to AMD PCNet when the virtual machine is VMotioned to an ESX Server host that has an older version of the ESX operating system installed.
Use the flexible driver when PXE booting ESX Server virtual machines (VMware Tools can’t be installed until after a Guest Operating system is installed).
For more complete information on the properties of the Intel E1000, flexible, vmxnet, vmxnet2 (enhanced and vmxnet3 network drivers see this VMware Knowledge Base article:
"Choosing a Network Adapter for your Virtual Machine" http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1001805
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