VMware ESXi 5 whitebox NIC support

I tested the NICs below in my VMware ESXi 5.x whitebox server at home. Here the status:

NICRecognized by VMware ESXi 5Listed in ESXi 5 as
Intel PRO/1000GT Desktop Adapter PCIYesIntel 82541PI Gigabit Ethernet Controller
Realtek RTL 8111EYesRealtek 8168 Gigabit Ethernet
Intel Gigabit CT Desktop Adapter PCI-eYesIntel Corporation 82574L
Intel 82579 Gigabit LAN controllerNo You need the make a customized ESXi 5 ISO or VIB file.This is a not supported configuration!Intel Corporation 82579V orIntel Corporation 82579LM

To add for example the Intel 82579 chipset, create a customized ESXi 5 ISO.  This is very simple because some people have already done the hard work.

Here are the steps:

  1. Download ESXi-Customizer (create by Andreas Peetz)
  2. Download the driver (created by Chilly)
  3. Start the ESXi-Customizer and follow the 3 steps:

2011-12-04 17h03_20

And you’re ready to create the customized VMware ESXi 5 ISO. The ISO supports the Intel 82579V and 82579LM NIC(s) found on many whitebox motherboards today. Possible future updated version(s) of the driver can be found in the following post .