We have a Windows 2012 (VMware tools version 9.0 build 782409) server running on a ESXi 5.1 build 786111 host that has been losing connectivity recently and so far only a reboot has restored it. So far this has only happened twice (4/10/13 ~3am, and 4/18/13 at 2:40am) and thus far we have been unable to identify any kind of cause or reason for this loss. ESX shows no log information relating to any drop in connectivity and none of the other guest have lost connectivity. The only information we have is a single repeated entry in the event log around the time it starts. The host is a DL380p Gen8 running 4 guests, and we have not been able to reproduce the issue in a Hyper-V (2008r2) test environment, nor can we reproduce it on demand. The server is our Sole DC and also hosts file/user shares.
Event log entry:
The event provider encountered a non-fatal error. Some information may not be available.
WBEM Indication Properties
AlertingElementFormat: 0 0 (Unknown)
AlertType: 2 0x2 (Communications Alert)
Description: "The event provider encountered a non-fatal error. Some information may not be available."
EventCategory: 45 0x2d (Software Application)
EventID: "14"
ImpactedDomain: 4 0x4 (System)
IndicationIdentifier: "{DE5C8142-3FE9-42EA-AD6A-8CBDBE823C94}"
IndicationTime: "20130418020240.559000-240"
NetworkAddresses[0]: "192.168.1.15"
OSVersion: "6.2.9200"
PerceivedSeverity: 3 0x3 (Degraded/Warning)
ProbableCause: 1 0x1 (Other)
ProbableCauseDescription: "Provider Cannot Access Data Source"
ProviderName: "HP Ethernet"
ProviderVersion: "9.2.5.0"
RecommendedActions[0]: "Isolated instances of this event are not a cause for concern. If continued instances of this event occur, contact HP Support."
Summary: "Provider cannot access data source"
SystemCreationClassName: "HP_WinComputerSystem"
SystemFirmwareVersion[0]: "2012.06.22"
SystemGUID: "EB824D56-4B37-835A-96B9-E9D1718A77A6"
SystemModel: "VMware Virtual Platform"
SystemName: "Server.example.local"
SystemProductID: ""
SystemSerialNumber: "VMware-56 4d 82 eb 37 4b 5a 83-96 b9 e9 d1 71 8a 77 a6"
TIME_CREATED: 130107385943390813 0x1ce3bfa69cf7a5d
VariableNames[0]: "FloodControl"
VariableTypes[0]: 1 0x1 (string)
VariableValues[0]: "HP Ethernet detected too many changes happening to the network."
What we have tried so far:
- Disabled/re-enabled the NIC inside of Windows
- Changed which physical NIC the guest uses inside the vSwitch
- Changed cables and switch ports used
Any suggestions on possible causes or solutions would be greatly appreciated.
I noticed a similar question here but it was a little to vague and wasn't sure if this would be a duplicate as the ESX/OS versions were different.
Best Answer
The VM doesn't need any vendor tools installed as it doesn't have any vendor hardware. Vendor tools get installed on the host. Only VMware tools get installed on the VM.