When you try to install ESXi 7.0 with a USB NIC only, the installation fails at 81% with the following error message:
Exception: No vmknic tagged for management was found.
Some homelab systems like the Intel 10th Gen NUC are not equipped with a compatible network adapter. As a workaround, you can use a USB NIC and create a customized image to install ESXi. The installation fails as the ESXi installer can't assign the USB NIC as a management adapter because it specifically searches for a "vmnic#", not "vusb#" adapter.
This article explains how to proceed with the 81% installation error and get the system to work.
- If not already, create a Customized Image as explained here.
- Start the installation and wait until it fails at 81%
- At this point, ESXi is already installed, but not configured.
- Remove the installation media and reboot the system
- When ESXi is loaded, press F2 and login as "root" without password. (The password entered during the installation has not been saved because the configuration failed)
- You should notice that all Network Options are greyed out. Select Network Restore Options.
- Select Restore Network Settings
- Log out
- Log back in
- Network options are no longer greyed out and the vusb0 adapter has been detected
Thanks for this, been trying to get an old server installed with ESX 7 and it would not detect the onboard NIC or USB nics.
Thanks, fixed my issue with the nwe Chuwi LarkBox
This worked perfectly - THANK YOU!!!
Holy cow! I was about to delve into how to create a custom ESXI iso with all that powercli etc, you saved me hours my dude! Thank you!
I tried the steps, USB nic works but... do not know why DHCP cannot work for this ESXI, anyone else has this problem?
Actually turns out it's a cable problem. Fixed
Thanks a lot for this super idea
can you try VMware fling which as added some community networking device support, such as the NUC you mentioned.
https://flings.vmware.com/community-networking-driver-for-esxi#requirements
can you try vmware fling https://flings.vmware.com/community-networking-driver-for-esxi
which added the support for such network devices as the NUC you mentioned above?
Thanks for this !
When the Esxi reboot, I always have to go to the Console and reactivate the network card ( last picture in 10.) Someone have a solution?
I should have just come here first. Thanks a bunch!