The Best Network Card For VMware ESX Home Lab Machines

January 31, 2011 by Stephen 15 Comments

I’m building a home/lab server to run a variety of workloads, but VMware ESX is chief among these. Sadly, VMware ESX is especially picky about network interface cards (NICs): Although many are supported, most are intended for servers and thus very expensive and difficult to find at retail. So I set out browsing through the VMware ESX HCL, Newegg, and Amazon to find the best network card for my home lab machine. Here’s what I’ve found out so far.

Desktop NICs Won’t Work

Most of the network interfaces you will find at retail simply won’t work. Realtek is the dominant provider of Gigabit Ethernet controllers for motherboards and add-in cards right now, but none of their chips are natively supported by VMware ESX. The number-two slot seems to be Marvell’s Yukon chips, with Intel’s desktop controllers close behind. None of these will work, either.

Although it is possible to get a non-supported NIC to work in VMware ESX, it’s not a good idea. First, ESX won’t install unless it finds a supported NIC in the box. Then there’s quite a bit of fiddling to get the driver up and running. And you’re left with a potentially-weird configuration that might not support advanced features. It’s a much-better idea to locate and purchase a supported NIC.

Here’s what not to buy


Many inexpensive Ethernet cards and motherboards have a chip with the Realtek “digital crab” logo. None of these will work for VMware ESX.	The big “psychedelic M” identifies a Marvell controller. Skip these, too.

Selecting a Functional Home/Lab NIC

My “home/lab” network card criteria are simple:

They are specifically listed on the VMware ESX HCL for version 4.1 with no hacks or trickery involved
They cost less than $100 US
You can easily purchase them at retail from major online vendors (Newegg and Amazon)
They use PCI or PCI Express bus and have 1 or more RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet ports

It’s really amazing how few cards meet these criteria: There are really just a few cards to consider in this range.

Here’s what to buy

PCI Adapters

	The Intel Pro/1000 MT server adapter should work, and the dual-port is cheaper on Amazon (Newegg)
PCI Express (PCIe) adapters

The Intel Pro/1000 CT desktop adapter is a cheap and functional PCIe NIC (Newegg)	The Intel Pro/1000 PT server adapter is a little more expensive but potentially better-supported (Newegg)	The HP NC112T also appears to be well-supported and affordable

Although some have reported success with the very-cheap Intel Pro/1000 GT desktop adapter, I can’t recommend it. I’ve heard many negative reviews of folks trying and failing to get this adapter to work in the latest versions of VMware ESX. I think it’s worth the money to step up to the CT or PT instead!

Note also that I have not personally tried the specific adapters listed and linked here. I intend to purchase one or more over the next few months and will update this post when I do, but I welcome feedback on your experiences with them!

Stephen’s Stance

VMware ESX seems especially picky about network adapters, and the fact that it will not install without a supported NIC onboard is a real stumbling block for users. I definitely recommend picking up a well-supported NIC like the Intel Pro/1000 MT (PCI) or CT/PT (PCIe) or the HP NC112T.

My home/lab machine has two PCIe slots and two PCI slots. I had intended to use a PCI NIC, but will probably buy a Pro/1000 PT card instead. It’s affordable and called out specifically as supported in the VMware ESX HCL. Sounds good to me!

If you have a suggestion for a NIC that fits the criteria above, please do let me know. I’d love to have more choices in this list!

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Comments

Bill Plein says

January 31, 2011 at 11:20 pm

I have used the Intel Pro/1000 MT, a very old Gigabit desktop adapter that I have had lying around my house since 2002, and it seems to work fine with ESXi 4.1. I don’t have anything else to compare it to.

I’d go with newer if I was buying new today, but for “found in a box in the garage”, it works good enough for me!
Samuel Clements says

February 1, 2011 at 1:00 am

Intel EXPI9301CT worked great for mine! $40 on NewEgg is a great deal and performs well so far! 🙂
Kendrick Coleman says

February 1, 2011 at 1:08 am

Stephen,
Go check out my latest home lab post called The Green Machines. Kendrickcoleman.com

I used the broadcom 5709 and it works well. Priced around $100 a piece and can get cheaper on eBay.
sfoskett says

February 1, 2011 at 2:55 pm

Absolutely! I bet eBay would be a great source of PCI gigabit cards, and the Intel Pro/1000 MT seems like the best way to go if you’re taking that route!
sfoskett says

February 1, 2011 at 2:55 pm

Glad to hear it! The CT cards are definitely cheap (under $30 sometimes) and are listed in the HCL.
sfoskett says

February 1, 2011 at 2:57 pm

Great post, Kendrick! Here’s the link for everyone else: http://kendrickcoleman.com/index.php?/Tech-Blog/vmware-vsphere-home-lab-qthe-green-machinesq.html

I had trouble finding anything Broadcom powered on Amazon or NewEgg, though eBay for Dell or HP cards is a great idea. Thanks!
SPremeau says

February 1, 2011 at 2:59 pm

I gave up and started using the HP ms6000 “multiseat server” as my ESX platform. Works right out of the box.
Gallifreyan says

April 10, 2011 at 8:38 am

I’m seeing some two-port PCIe Silicom “PEG2” cards, based on the Broadcom 5715 chip, for $35 (and they’re local to me so I may get them faster too). A fiber version is on the HCL for 3.5, oddly enough. I have some of the MT series (2 and 4 port) but might want to go PCIe after all.
w1ll1ng says

April 13, 2011 at 4:12 am

Hi Rob,

I am also looking at the PCIe dual port gigabit from Silicom (Broadcom 5715 chip), can you confirm if these are supported by vmware esxi 4.1 and above? would be super
w1ll1ng says

April 13, 2011 at 4:53 am

controller sets used:
High performance, reliability, and low power use in Broadcom 5714 / 5715 / 5704 dual integrated MAC + PHY / SERDES chip controller ( I believe it’s the BCM5715C)

On esx HCL, shows Broadcom BCM5714 Gigabit Ethernet and BCM5704 Gigabit Etherent supported by all up to latest esxi 4.1 U1.

I don’t believe it may be supported, can what you all think?
w1ll1ng says

April 14, 2011 at 12:27 am

UPDATE it’s not supported, only from peg2i and up. peg2 is supported by x64 windows client and server, even r2, good for hyper v
Adam says

November 14, 2013 at 3:38 pm

I have an ESXI machine running 3 Realtek cards and they are completely fine and reliable
David says

November 29, 2013 at 11:16 am

Adam, how did you do it?
David Kurniawan says

May 20, 2014 at 9:08 am

I would install ESXi but I am confused what brand NIC fitting .. please its support.??
Robert says

December 8, 2015 at 3:16 am

Intel PRO/1000 Pt Dual Port Server Adapter – purchased from Amazon – fails – not Recognized

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