By default, ESXi is configured to receive the IP address for the management console through the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). If no DHCP server is present in your network, the hypervisor doesn't obtain an IP, and you won't be able to connect.
Assigning a dynamic IP address to ESXi is not a recommended configuration because management and services are linked to specific IP addresses assigned to the server. If the IP changes (after rebooting the host or for an expired lease), some services may not work as expected. If the server has multiple physical network interface controllers (NICs) installed and the DHCP assigns an IP address to an NIC linked to a wrong vSwitch, you may experience connectivity issues that will impede the connection to the management console, and you may not be able to manage the host.
Configuring a static IP address to the ESXi management console is the recommended configuration to adopt. The ESXi management console can be configured by accessing the Direct Console User Interface (DCUI) directly, or through the iLO, iDrac, IPMI, or similar (if your server has an integrated remote management console). Proceed with the following steps:
- Access the ESXi console and press F2 to access the Customize System/View Logs option.
- When requested, enter the root password set during the installation process.
- Select Configure Management Network from the System Customization menu and press Enter.
- Select Network Adapters from the Configure Management Network menu and press Enter.
- Using the spacebar, select the NIC to use for the ESXi management and press Enter. Press D to see details related to the selected NIC (for example, the attached vSwitch).
- Now, select IPv4 Configuration and press Enter to assign a static IP address.
- Use the spacebar to select the Set static IPv4 address and network configuration option, then configure the IPv4 Address, the Subnet Mask, and the Default Gateway. Press Enter to save the configuration, as demonstrated in the following screenshot:
- Select DNS Configuration to specify the primary and alternate DNS servers and the hostname. Press Enter to confirm the settings.
- Select Custom DNS Suffixes to specify the suffix to use (lab.local, for instance). Press Enter to confirm.
- Press Esc to exit the Configure Management Network console. Press Y to apply the changes when prompted.