6.0

Network Adapters and Legacy Virtual Machines
Legacy virtual machines are virtual machines that are supported by the product in use, but are not current
for that product. The default network adapter types for all legacy virtual machines depend on the adapters
available and compatible to the guest operating system and the version of virtual hardware on which the
virtual machine was created.
If you do not upgrade a virtual machine to correspond with an upgrade to a newer version of an ESXi host,
your adapter seings remain unchanged. If you upgrade your virtual machine to take advantage of newer
virtual hardware, your default adapter seings will likely change to be compatible with the guest operating
system and upgraded host hardware.
To verify the network adapters that are available to your supported guest operating system for a particular
version of vSphere ESXi, see the VMware Compatibility Guide at
hp://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility.
Change the Configuration of the Virtual Network Adapter in the
VMware Host Client
You can congure the power-on connection seing, the MAC address, and the network connection of the
virtual network adapter of a virtual machine.
Prerequisites
Required privileges:
n
Virtual Machine..Modify device  for editing the MAC address and network.
n
Virtual Machine.Interaction.Device connection for changing Connect and Connect at power on.
n
Network.Assign network
Procedure
1 Click Virtual Machines in the VMware Host Client inventory.
2 Right-click a virtual machine in the list and select Edit  from the pop-up menu.
3 Click the Virtual Hardware tab and select the appropriate Network Adapter (NIC) from the hardware
list.
4 (Optional) To connect the virtual NIC when the virtual machine is powered on, select Connect at power
on.
5 Select an option for MAC address conguration.
Option Description
Automatic
vSphere assigns a MAC address automatically.
Manual
Enter the MAC address to use.
6 Click Save.
Add a Network Adapter to a Virtual Machine in the VMware Host Client
When you add a network adapter (NIC) to a virtual machine, you must select the adapter type, the network
connection, and whether the device connects when the virtual machine is powered on.
Procedure
1 Click Virtual Machines in the VMware Host Client inventory.
2 Right-click a virtual machine in the list and select Edit  from the pop-up menu.
Chapter 3 Virtual Machine Management with the VMware Host Client
VMware, Inc. 57