For more information about the VMware Management Interface, go to www.vmware.com/support/gsx3/doc/.


Configuring a Virtual Machine's Virtual Network Adapters
Configuring a Virtual Machine's Virtual Network Adapters

You can configure the settings for the virtual machine's virtual network adapter. These settings include the virtual network adapter to which the virtual machine is bound and the network driver it uses.

You must select the network driver for each network connection. You can choose between the vlance driver, which installs automatically, and the vmxnet driver, which provides better network performance. The difference in network performance is most noticeable if the virtual machine is connected to a Gigabit Ethernet card.

After the virtual machine is created, you can use this page to add more network adapters to the virtual machine.

For more details about GSX Server networking options, go to www.vmware.com/support/gsx3/doc/network_gsx.html.

To configure an existing virtual network adapter, complete the following steps.

  1. In the Hardware page, under Network Adapter, click Edit. The Network Adapter page appears.
  2. To connect the virtual NIC when the virtual machine is powered on, check Connect at Power On.
  3. In the Virtual Device list, select the network driver you want the virtual machine to use. Choose either the vlance or vmxnet driver.
  4. Specify the type of networking this virtual NIC uses. Check Bridged, NAT, Host-only or Custom.

    If you selected a custom network, select the specific virtual network from the list.

    Note: If the virtual machine is managed by VirtualCenter, select Named and choose a network from the list.

  5. Click OK to save your changes and close the window.
Adding a New Virtual Network Adapter
Adding a New Virtual Network Adapter

To add a new virtual network adapter to a virtual machine, make sure the virtual machine is powered off, then complete the following steps.

  1. On the Hardware page, click Add Device. The Add Device Wizard starts.
  2. Click Network Adapter. The Network Adapter page appears.
  3. To connect the virtual NIC when the virtual machine is powered on, check Connect at Power On.
  4. In the Virtual Device list, select the network driver you want the virtual machine to use. Choose either the vlance or vmxnet driver.
  5. Specify the type of networking this virtual NIC uses. Check Bridged, NAT, Host-only or Custom.

    If you selected a custom network, select the specific virtual network from the list.

    Note: If the virtual machine is managed by VirtualCenter, select Named and choose a network from the list.

  6. Click OK to add the network adapter.