Title

The ESX Server does not meet the minimum requirement of two network adapters. (Cat III impact)

Discussion

A minimum of two physical network adapters is required in each physical server to enable networking for both the service console and the virtual machines. A minimum of two network adapters per ESX Server are required because the first network adapter discovered during the installation of the ESX Server is always dedicated to the service console by default. Up to 16 physical network adapters are supported per ESX Server. The ESX Server service console network adapter connects to the management user interface, SCP, SSH, and any other tool used to access the ESX Server’s file system. The other physical network adapter will be dedicated to the virtual machines

Check Content

Go to the ESX Server service console, and type the following: # esxcfg-nics –l vmnic0 vmnic1 If you do not see vmnic0 and vmnic1 in the listing, this is a finding. A minimum of two network adapters are required.

Fix Text

Configure the ESX Server with two network adapters.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-16740r1_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-15801

Group Title: ESX Server does not have two NICs.

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

Controls tied to check. These are derived from the CCIs shown above.