Red Hat NETSCAPE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM 4.5 User Manual download pdf (Page 224)

Networking

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Sharing Network Adapters and

Virtual Networks

In many ESX Server configurations, there is a clear distinction between networking

resources used by the virtual machines and those used by the console operating

system. This may be important for security reasons, for example — isolating the

management network from the network used by applications in the virtual machines.

However, there may be times when you want to share resources, including physical

network adapters and virtual networks.

This technical note provides instructions on sharing in both directions — making the

virtual machines’ resources available to the console operating system and allowing

virtual machines to share the network adapter used by the console operating system.

This sharing is made possible by the vmxnet_console driver, which is installed

with the console operating system.

Caution: We recommend that only advanced users make these configuration

changes. The steps below are easier for someone who is familiar with administering a

Linux system.

Note: If you accidentally bring down the local loopback interface while you are

reconfiguring network devices, the VMware Management Interface does not function

properly. To bring it back up, use the command ifconfig lo up.

Allowing the Console Operating System to Use

the Virtual Machines’ Devices

All network adapters used by virtual machines (that is, assigned to the VMkernel) and

virtual networks can be made accessible to the console operating system. Virtual

networks — identified as vmnet_<n> on the Edit Configuration page of the VMware

Management Interface — provide high-speed connections among virtual machines

on the same physical server.

To give the console operating system access to VMkernel network adapters and

virtual networks, you must install the vmxnet_console module. When you install

it, you provide a list of VMkernel network adapters and virtual networks that the

vmxnet_console module should attach to. For example, if the VMkernel had an

adapter named vmnic1 and a virtual network named vmnet_0 and you wanted to

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Red Hat NETSCAPE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM 4.5 User Manual Page 224