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ESXi 5.x Installation on Intel NUC fails with "No Network Adapters"

When you try to install ESXi 5.x on an Intel Next Unit of Computing (NUC) system, the installation fails with the following error message:

No Network Adapters

No network adapters were detected. Either no network adapters are physically connected to the system, or a suitable driver could not be located. A third party driver may be required.

Ensure that there is at least one network adapter physically connected to the system before attempting installation. If the problem persists, consult the VMware Knowledge Base.

3rd Generation Intel NUC Models:

  • Intel NUC DC53427HYE
  • Intel NUC DC3217IYE
  • Intel NUC DC3217BY

4th Generation Intel NUC Models:

  • Intel NUC D54250WYK
  • Intel NUC D34010WYK
  • Intel NUC D54250WYKH
  • Intel NUC D34010WYKH

5th Generation Intel NUC Models:

  • Intel NUC5i7RYH
  • Intel NUC5i5RYH
  • Intel NUC5i5MYHE
  • Intel NUC5i5RYK
  • Intel NUC5i3RYH
  • Intel NUC5i3MYHE
  • Intel NUC5i3RYK

This message is caused by missing Gigabit Ethernet Controller drivers that are not included in the ESXi Base Image. To fix that, you have to create an customized ESXi Image and add the proper drivers.

Tested with:

  • VMware ESXi 5.0
  • VMware ESXi 5.1
  • VMware ESXi 5.5

Create Customized ISO with PowerCLI (4th, 5th Gen NUC)

You can use PowerCLI to create a customized ISO. (Check this post if you are new to PowerCLI)

  1. Download and install vSphere PowerCLI 5.8 to use the Image Builder. This requires an account at vmware.com. If you are not entitled to download PowerCLI, register for an evaluation.
  2. Open VMware vSphere PowerCLI
    vmware-vsphere-powercli
  3. Use the following commands to create a customized NUC ESXi Image. This will download all required files (about 300MB) and create a bootable ISO file. If you want to use another ESXi version than ESXi 5.5 February Patch 2015, select another Image Profile. A list of all Image Profiles is available here.
  4. Add-EsxSoftwareDepot https://hostupdate.vmware.com/software/VUM/PRODUCTION/main/vmw-depot-index.xml
    Add-EsxSoftwareDepot http://vibsdepot.v-front.de
    New-EsxImageProfile -CloneProfile "ESXi-5.5.0-20150204001-standard" -name "ESXi-5.5.0-20150204001-NUC" -Vendor "virten.net" -AcceptanceLevel "CommunitySupported"
    Add-EsxSoftwarePackage -ImageProfile "ESXi-5.5.0-20150204001-NUC" -SoftwarePackage "net-e1000e"
    Add-EsxSoftwarePackage -ImageProfile "ESXi-5.5.0-20150204001-NUC" -SoftwarePackage "sata-xahci"
    Export-ESXImageProfile -ImageProfile "ESXi-5.5.0-20150204001-NUC" -ExportToISO -filepath ESXi-5.5.0-20150204001-NUC.iso

    Credit for the sata-xahci map file goes to Andreas Peetz at VMware Front Experience.

  5. Burn ESXi-5.5.0-20150204001-NUC.iso to a cd or create a usb flash drive
  6. Install ESXi

Create Customized ISO with ESXi-Customizer by v-front.de

ESXi-Customizer is a user-friendly program thats can be used to customize the original ESXi installation media with drivers that are not originally included. The script runs entirely on Windows. The required drivers are dependent on your Intel NUC Generation.

  1. Download required Files (To download .vib files: Right click -> Save target as)
    ESXi 5.1 U1 ISO image (VMware-VMvisor-Installer-5.1.0.update01-1065491.x86_64.iso)
    ESXi 5.5 U2 ISO image (VMware-ESXi-5.5U2-RollupISO2.iso)
    ESXi-Customizer (ESXi-Customizer-v2.7.1.exe)
    Intel Driver (net-e1001e-1.0.0.x86_64.vib) (3rd Gen NUC)
    Intel Driver (net-e1000e-2.3.2.x86_64.vib) (4th Gen NUC)
    - Intel Driver (e1000e-3.1.0.2-glr.vib) (5th Gen NUC) from GLRoman
    SATA Controller (sata-xahci-1.27-1.x86_64.vib) (4th Gen NUC) from v-front.de
  2. Run ESXi-Customizer-v2.7.1.exe to extract the required files
  3. Run ESXi-Customizer.cmd
  4. Select the ESXi Image and VIB File
  5. Make sure to tick "Create (U)EFI-bootable ISO"
    Intel-NUC-ESXi-Customization
  6. Press Run!
  7. Repeat Step 2-6 to add all required drivers
  8. Burn the new created ISO file and use it in your Intel NUC

ESXi-on-Intel-NUC

[Update: Added 4th gen Models]
[Update: Added 5th gen Models]

64 thoughts on “ESXi 5.x Installation on Intel NUC fails with "No Network Adapters"”

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    1. Not sure if i get your problem. You can install the driver with
      #esxcli software vib install -v

      what version of ESXi are you running and how are you trying to update ESXi 5.1?

    1. My box is D54250WYKH. Follow this procedure. Still No Network Adaptor Error while installing ESXi 5.1 U2.

      Any workaround? Kindly help me... Thanks!

  3. Needed 2 drivers of Trogdan, for Network and sata on D34010WYK. Used Customizer v2.7.1 on VMware-VMvisor-Installer-5.0.0.update03-1311175.x86_64 to create iso. Installation Stops at 44% [Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/tardisks/net-e100.v00'

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  5. I tried this and my VM's are not able to obtain an IP address. I get 169.x.x.x. It sees the NIC and it appears everything is working but the VM's itself cannot obtain an IP address.

    I have hypervisor 5.5. I have the Intel NUC Kit DC53427HYE

    Anyone else having issues with VM's not able to obtain an IP address?

      1. I did set a static IP and I couldn't even ping the router. I didn't use this driver posted here. I used the one on http://www.tekhead.org/blog/2013/01/nanolab-running-vmware-vsphere-on-intel-nuc-part-2-2/

        I can reach the host just fine though. I can ping the host and access it via vi client. Just none of the VM's can obtain an IP address.

        I've posted in the vmware communities here https://communities.vmware.com/thread/466468

        I just don't understand what's going on. I'm going to redo the VM and also try a different vmware installation. (I have 2 USB sticks with vmware hypervisor installed)

  6. All the below have failed for installation on DC3217BY

    net-e1001e-1.0.0.x86_64.vib
    net-e1000e-2.1.4.x86_64.vib
    net-e1000e-2.3.2.x86_64.vib

    VMware-VMvisor-Installer-5.1.0.update01-1065491.x86_64
    VMware-VMvisor-Installer-5.1.0-799733.x86_64
    VMware-VMvisor-Installer-5.5.0-1331820.x86_64

    Please help - I am banging my head....

    1. After DAYS of searching and searching I found the solution. I did not make/create the solution, it was already done for a different platform. Long story short - if you have a DC3217BY with the Broadcom NetXtreme BCM57762 Gigabit Ethernet & Thunderbolt Ethernet Adapter, The first clue came from:-

      http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=ru&u=http://habrahabr.ru/post/187190/&prev=/search%3Fq%3DInstalling%2BESXi%2B5.1%2Bon%2Bthe%2BNUC%2B(DC3217BY)%26espv%3D210%26es_sm%3D91

      Then:-
      http://www.tuicool.com/articles/V32Inq

      Where I messed around with the script and settings - having about 50% success, then finally stumbling on the below.

      http://www.virtuallyghetto.com/2013/09/running-esxi-55-on-apple-mac-mini.html

      Download the custom VIB file here:-

      https://s3.amazonaws.com/virtuallyghetto-download/vghetto-apple-thunderbolder-ethernet.vib

      Then using ESXi-Customizer-v2.7.1.exe build the custom ISO with the the above VIB. VERY important - when you are creating the custom ISO......Make sure you DO NOT tick “Create (U)EFI-bootable ISO” - this should be left UNCHECKED.

      I know have ESXi running on Intel NUC DC3217BY - and for right now (1.5 hrs) purring like a kitten.....

      1. Hello!! Tried this and it installs fine, but when Esxi boots it can't see any NICs!! Which BIOS version and parameters are you using? Thank you!

        1. It's me again. I got it to work if I enter BIOS with F2 and select "Load defaults" the first time I start. If I reboot the NUC, it fails to found the adapter and must do the same again. It works across reboots for you? Which BIOS version have you got? Any parameter changed? Thank you!

          1. Still the same problem in DC3217BY. If i restart, i must load bios defaults. Using latest BIOS version 48... :neutral:

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  8. Thanks for sharing all the information regarding the driver updates on the D34010WYK.
    I succeeded to install ESXi 5.1 but after the patching the system with all the VMware patches I lost my system after a reboot. (lost the network drivers).

    Is it possible to update the VMware-VMvisor-Installer-5.1.0.update01-1065491.x86_64.iso with all the latest patches?

    1. To update an ESXi Host, it's better to use the update repo. Just upload it (.zip File) to a VMFS datastore and use esxcli software vib install -d [path]

      1. THX for the respone, but I did the update with an offline bundle but in one of the updates the driver will be replaced by an old one.
        After a reboot I lost the ethernet connection

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  10. Is there another download link for the
    SATA Controller (sata-xahci-1.10-1.x86_64.vib) driver?

    I've looked everywhere and most links lead to the link on this site which is broken.

  11. Looking for some help. I am installing ESXi 5.5 on a Asus Deluxe x79 motherboard. It has both a Realtek 8111GR and a Intel 82579V Network port. The original ESXi 5.5 install supported the Realtek nic, but not the Intel one.

    Using the above guide I was able to get the Intel nic working, but it also disabled the Realtek one.

    Why did this happen, and how can I fix it?

  12. Thanks very much worked like a charm for me!

    However, although it picked up the nic during the ESXi 5.5 U1 install and saw my hard drives and completed the installation. After rebooting, I get "Invalid partition table!".

    Anybody have any ideas?

      1. I had the same problem.

        I changed the PC boot option from "Legacy" (standard BIOS) to UEFI. Then it works. The machine is booting correctly.

        I hope it helps.

  13. Pingback: Installing VMware vSphere ESXi 5.5 on an Intel (Haswell) NUC (D34010WYH1) | PricklyTech

  14. Thanks to you I installed my 3rd gen NUC without any problems.
    Out of interest. Is the 2.3.2 driver an older version of the 1.0.0 driver and also compatible with the 3th gen NUC? Or are they for different network chips?

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  16. Hi,
    I am new to VMware ESXi server, I try to install VMware-VMvisor-Installer-5.5.0.update01-1623387.x86_64 in intel DZ75ML-45k, Intel(R) 82579V Gigabit Network Connection, Every time it show the error "Physically Network Adapter Not Connected......' and i try ESXi-Customizer too with many variant of .vib file, .tgz and offline_bundle But i can't install the ESXi server, Pl anyone help me.. Thanks in advance.....

  17. Hello,

    I was using my intel NUC with ESXi 5.5 and i had no problem... Yesterday, i wanted to upgrade it into 5.5...

    I have no problem, to install it ... but at the first boot the ESXi stay on "running usbarbitrator start" The boot take really looooooooooooong time more than 12 hours...

    on the vmkernel log i have message like that :
    cpu3: 10000014075 hub 1-1:1.0 over-current condition on port 3 ... etc

    does any one have an idea ... i dont find anything on the net ...

    THX A LOT

  18. Based on your article, I tried installing ESXi 5.0 on a Macbook Air (Haswell) and after booting up and at the end of the the yellow black installer screen it gives me the error No Network adapters found.My Mac does not have ethernet port and has only wi-fi. But I thought the whole idea of repackaging the ISO with the 2 vib files should have helped detect a network adapter(ethernet or wireless).Can you please advice on this.If wireless is not supported,can I make a virtual network adapter or something similar? Please advice

    1. Checked it, works fine.

      If it tries to opens up in your browser and shows hieroglyphs, try "right click - save target as" at the download link.

  19. I followed this thread a month ago and loaded Esxi 5.5 on my Gen 4 i5 NUC with 16G RAM and 128G MSATA + 256G SSD. Then using Veem moved my Exchange 13 server, IIS web server, MS PDC, and several other small vm's to the system. It works like a top and has been hosting my mail and website with no problems. Last weekend I did the upgrade to Esxi 6.0 RC with no problems.
    This is one amazing little box!

    1. Dalton thanks for posting what your hosting. I have been looking at these nuc builds and wanted to move my exchange lab over to it.

      Question in regards to the nuc drive storage. If i add a msata and ssd are you doing the esxi installation to usb stick or one of the local drives?

        1. I am using a 120G MSATA and a 256G SSD in the internal drive slot of the larger chassis. I am not using a USB memory device.

          The 120G MSATA is a 120G Muskin
          The 256G SSD is a Transcend SSD370 6Gb/s

          The performance is surprising and looking at performance graphs it could easily handle additional VM's.
          VMware 6.0 Beta running the following.
          (All Servers running Windows Server 2008R2 Datacenter fully patched.)
          PDC server running AD and print services
          WEB server running IIS serving a single website
          EXCHANGE server running Exchange 13 serving three domains
          VCENTER server running vCenter 6.0 Beta
          WIN7PRO is a VM running Win7
          WIN8PRO is a VM running Win 8.1

          I hope this helps,
          Dalton

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  22. Thanks for that articles, Do you please know how to had Hard drive connect through USB on the datastore of esxi ? and also my second SSD which is not recognize by esxi?

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  25. I am trying to use the drivers to install 5.0 on a 4th gen NUC D54250WYKH (for a test upgrade to 5.5)

    I used the esxi customizer to add the drivers to a 5.0 esxi install media
    Intel Driver (net-e1000e-2.3.2.x86_64.vib)
    SATA Controller (sata-xahci-1.27-1.x86_64.vib)

    But keep running into a error at 44% of the install 44% saying missing file esxi net-e100.v00. When I do not include the SATA driver I still get the error so I believe its the nic. Any thoughts on a different driver?

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