Set Up Networking for Software FCoE

Before you activate the software FCoE adapters on your ESXi host, create VMkernel network adapters for all physical FCoE NICs installed on the host.

Note: Starting from vSphere 7.0, VMware no longer supports software FCoE in production environments.

This procedure explains how to create a single VMkernel network adapter connected to a single FCoE physical network adapter through a vSphere Standard switch. If your host has multiple network adapters or multiple ports on the adapter, connect each FCoE NIC to a separate standard switch. For more information, see the vSphere Networking documentation.

Procedure

1. In the vSphere Client, navigate to the ESXi host.
2. Click Actions > Add Networking.
3. Select VMkernel Network Adapter, and click Next.
4. Select New standard switch to create a vSphere Standard switch.
5. To enable Jumbo Frames, change MTU (Bytes) to the value of 2500 or more, and click Next.
6. Click the Add adapters icon, and select the network adapter (vmnic#) that supports FCoE.
   Make sure to assign the adapter to Active Adapters.
7. Enter a network label.
   Network label is a friendly name that identifies the VMkernel adapter that you are creating, for example, FCoE.
8. Specify a VLAN ID and click Next.
   FCoE traffic requires an isolated network. Make sure that the VLAN ID you enter is different from the one used for regular networking on your host. For more information, see the vSphere Networking documentation.
9. After you finish configuration, review the information and click Finish.

Results

You have created the virtual VMkernel adapter for the physical FCoE network adapter installed on your host.

Note: To avoid FCoE traffic disruptions, do not remove the FCoE network adapter (vmnic#) from the vSphere Standard switch after you set up FCoE networking.