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Unable to Change IP Network Subnet via Web Interface

  • 1.  Unable to Change IP Network Subnet via Web Interface

    Posted 19 days ago

    Not sure why this was made so difficult since the "Infrastructure Client" days but I cannot for the life of me change the ESXi (8.0) host IP address to a different subnet: 192.168.2.0 --> 192.168.22.0. I found another forum thread: Unable to change IP network address (I think they also they meant "subnet") which offered some possible solutions such as changing the default TCP/IP stack GW to 0.0.0.0 or changing the subnet mask to /16 (255.255.0.0). The latter allowed me to change the subnet, but now I cannot change the subnet mask back to /24 (255.255.255.0).

    The error I get when I try to update the (vmk0) interface subnet mask is: "Operation failed, diagnostics report: Unable to Set: Network unreachable"

    This took me less than a minute to do on an ESXi 5.5 host using the Infrastructure Client. (we still have one 5.5 host)

    Yes, normally I would do this via the console, but this system does not have a (Dell) DRAC or (HP) ILO virtual console, so I am stuck using the web interface. Please explain to me what I am doing wrong.



  • 2.  RE: Unable to Change IP Network Subnet via Web Interface

    Posted 18 days ago

    Have you tried via console?
    you can try via console or connecting via ssh and run dcui to configure the vmk0 ip .




  • 3.  RE: Unable to Change IP Network Subnet via Web Interface

    Posted 18 days ago

    Well I tried removing the route with the 255.255.0.0 mask via command line and got an error. In any case, things work I am just being OCD about it. Hate seeing that /16 mask.




  • 4.  RE: Unable to Change IP Network Subnet via Web Interface

    Posted 18 days ago

    are you also, would you need to change VLAN? 
    are both subnets sharing the same Vlan? 

    what browser are you using to try and make the change?  I have had some issues with Chrome and Firefox.  Edge usally works for everything but god I dislike it. 




  • 5.  RE: Unable to Change IP Network Subnet via Web Interface

    Posted 18 days ago

    Im not using vlans. Also, Edge (aka Chrome downloader) is indeed crap but its using the same webkit back end as Chrome so not sure why that would act any different.




  • 6.  RE: Unable to Change IP Network Subnet via Web Interface

    Posted 16 days ago

    I agree with Milad.  Every time I've had to change the management IP address of the host I've just used the console.  I would suggest using the actual console through the DCUI either via an attached keyboard and monitor, or via an ILO/iDRAC port.  Keep in mind a couple of things.  If you change the IP address you have to make sure the physical switch ports are on the correct subnet/VLAN.  If the switch port is trunked and not in switch port access mode, then you will have to define the VLAN as well through the DCUI (though you did say you aren't using VLANs).  Also if you have multiple NICs assigned to the management port group, make sure the teaming is configured properly to match the physical switch and that both physical switch ports have been changed.  I don't think you should change the subnet mask, and make sure you also change the default gateway to match the new subnet.  




  • 7.  RE: Unable to Change IP Network Subnet via Web Interface

    Posted 16 days ago

    I appreciate the reply but you clearly missed the last sentence of my original post. I do not have physical access to the host, nor do I have access via ILO or DRAC. I am perfectly comfortable accessing the system via SSH and running whatever commands I need to but have yet to find the solution. Management of the host is accessible via the updated management interface IP so really this is an "OCD" issue and not a functional one. Again, not using VLANs here at all. If I had access to the console I could easily F2 in and change the management interface accordingly.

    To review: We changed the remote office subnet from 192.168.2.0 to 192.168.22.0 and I have every system happily working on the new subnet.

    I have the IP address set on the VMK0 interface exactly as I would like it to be (192.168.22.111) but I had to change the net mask to 255.255.0.0 to allow me to change the third octet from to 2 to 22, and now I cannot change the mask back to the original 255.255.255.0.

    Thats really it. It all works fine, but that stupid /16 mask is driving me nuts. If you know the command to alleviate the issue, please share them as with this growing company Im sure I will be doing this sort of thing more often as we acquire new offices with conflicting subnets. 




  • 8.  RE: Unable to Change IP Network Subnet via Web Interface
    Best Answer

    Posted 16 days ago

    Apologies, you're right, I did miss your last sentence.  So if you can access the host via SSH, can you just run the dcui from within your SSH session and change the mask from there?

    Type "dcui" from the SSH session to start the DCUI.

    Could also try these from the SSH session. (I guess the scary thing here is if the change is made and incorrect, you could lose access all together since you don't have ILO or physical access to the host.)

    esxcli network ip interface ipv4 get

    esxcli network ip interface ipv4 set -i vmkX -I <IP_ADDRESS> -N <SUBNET_MASK> -t static

    Found these here - How to Change the IP Address of an ESXi Host via ESX CLI - Virtually Stable




  • 9.  RE: Unable to Change IP Network Subnet via Web Interface

    Posted 16 days ago

    Wow!! "dcui" that is all I needed! I didnt know that was even an option, but it was just as if I was at the console! F2 and I was done in 30 seconds. Not sure why they chose to make this so difficult via the web UI, but that worked like a charm. Thank you so much!!




  • 10.  RE: Unable to Change IP Network Subnet via Web Interface

    Posted 16 days ago

    Very welcome, glad it worked.




  • 11.  RE: Unable to Change IP Network Subnet via Web Interface

    Posted 11 days ago

    Have you tried using SSH to launch the DCUI and change the subnet mask directly from there? It's pretty straightforward to do. Here are the steps:

    1. Access the host via SSH.
    2. Type "dcui" to launch the DCUI within your SSH session.
    3. Use the DCUI interface to modify the subnet mask.

    Alternatively, you can try the following commands from the SSH session:
    Be cautious with this method, as entering incorrect values might result in losing access to the host, especially since you don't have ILO or physical access.

    esxcli network ip interface ipv4 get 
    esxcli network ip interface ipv4 set -i vmkX -I <IP_ADDRESS> -N <SUBNET_MASK> -t static

    These commands allow you to change the IP address and subnet mask.