Service Console vs Management Network ports

[Whaler]

We have one cluster with two ESX 4.1.0 hosts.  In trying to mount an NFS share, it turns out that Server-A can mount it, but Server-B can not.

Server-A has a VMkernel Port named "Management Network" and "vmk0:172.20.5.51", where 172.20.5.51 is the address we usually think of as the Host (ie that's what appears for the Host in vCenter).

Server-B has a VMkernel Port named "Service Console" and "vswif0:172.20.5.53", where again 172.20.5.53 is the address we see this Host as in vCenter.

So in my little pea-brain, I'm thinking Server-A does not have a Service Console, but maybe doesn't need one if we never run into trouble and need to debug with Service Console commands (plus we should be moving this whole mess to ESXi 5.x, and get with the program).

And I'm thinking Server-B does not have a Management Port, which is needed to mount NFS as I understand.

What should I do?  Delete the Service Console port on Server-B, and create a Management Port at that address, then go back and add a Service Console port to both servers at some other addresses?  Can the Management Port and the Service Console use the same NIC (assuming their assigned IP addresses place them in the same network)?

Thanks for any input.....Lyle

[weinstein5]

Before you delete any ports confirm that both servers are ESX - I will bet you will see that the one with the Service Console port is the only ESX host - the host will be running ESXi -

The Service Console was a feature of ESX only - it in essence was a Linux VM used for managing your ESX host and was assigned a specific port called the Service Console - The Service Console openend potential security holes as well required VMware to patch it as the Linux kernel was updated - with ESXi VMware removed the Service Console moving the management functionality into the VMkernel - improving security and reducing the necessity of patching as frequently - by doing this removed the need for a Service Console port and only requiring a VMkernel Management port -

[raffic_ncc]

I too thought the same.. Service Console is the feature of ESX host. Please do verify both the Hosts belongs to same Version Lets say ESX or ESXi...

In ESX, Service Console Network is used for Management network

In ESXi - VMkernel network is used for Management network..

I would recommend to verify this first and second thing is to verify from the NAS side that the Second host has been given access to mount the NFS share on the Host.

Mohammed

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