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vCenter Server 5.0 install fails when the server has multiple NICs (2013894)

Symptoms

  • You cannot install vCenter Server 5.0.
  • The vCenter Server 5.0 installer fails to complete.
  • A pop-up reports that the FQDN of the server cannot be resolved.
  • The FQDN has been verified with both forward and reverse nslookup. (Using nslookup vcenter_server_IP_address and nslookup vcenter_server_hostname.)
  • You are attempting to install vCenter Server on a server which has multiple NICs.

Cause

The issue is caused by the installer assuming that the first NIC in the NIC binding order is the correct NIC to use.

When you run nslookup from the command line it resolves successfully, but when the installer runs, it uses a NIC that cannot connect to a DNS server to resolve the FQDN.

Resolution

To resolve this issue, perform one of these options before attempting to reinstall vCenter Server.

Note: Do not perform both options. Choose only one and do not attempt the other.

After applying Option 1 or Option 2, attempt to reinstall vCenter Server.

Option 1: Disable any NICs in the guest OS that are not being used for vCenter Server


Determine which NICs to disable, and disable them where necessary:
  1. Open the Network Connections window. Click Start > Run, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter.
  2. Right-click on a Local Area Connection and select Properties.
  3. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
  4. Click Properties and view the static IP address information.

    • If this information matches the IP address you are using for vCenter Server, do not disable this connection. Click Cancel, then Cancel again to return to the Network Connections window.

    • If the information does not match the IP address you are using for vCenter Server, you can disable this connection.

      Caution: Disabling the connection may cause other applications using that NIC to fail.
      1. Click Cancel, then Cancel again to return to the Network Connections window.
      2. To disable the connection, right-click on the connection and select Disable.
Repeat steps 2 through 4 until all NICs not being used for vCenter Server are disabled.

Option 2: Change the binding order of the NICs


Determine which NIC the vCenter Server is using:
  1. Open the Network Connections window. Click Start > Run, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter.
  2. Right-click on a Local Area Connection and select Properties.
  3. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
  4. Click Properties and view the static IP address information.
  5. If this information matches the IP address you are using for vCenter Server, this connection must be first in the binding order.
Repeat steps 2 through 5 until you find the Local Area Connection that vCenter Server is using.


After determining which NIC vCenter Server is using, put that NIC first in the NIC binding order:
  1. Open the Network Connections window. Click Start > Run, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter.
  2. In the menu bar, click Advanced > Advanced Settings. A list of connections is displayed.
  3. Select the connection that vCenter Server is using, and use the arrows on the right side to move the connection to the top of the list.
  4. Click OK.

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