=== Total loss of ESXi Management Network Settings ===


**Solution:**

Per commandline we created a new vSwitch. Then a dedicated pNIC (vmnic0) was added to the new vSwitch and a portgroup (Management Network), too.
The last step was to set the IP address/Subnet.

After a reconnect from the host in vCenter everything was fine!

**Used Commands:**

  esxcfg-vswitch -a vSwitch1
With this command you can create a new vSwitch named: “vSwitch1”

  esxcfg-vswitch -A “Management Network” vSwitch1
now you can assign a portgroup “Management Network” to the new vSwitch1

  esxcfg-vswitch -L vmnic0 vSwitch1
this step adds pNIC “vmnic0” to the vSwitch1

  esxcfg-vmknic -a “Management Network” -i 160.xxx.xxx.xxx -n 255.xxx.xxx.xxx
this command will set the IP address/Subnet

If necessary you can use the parameter -l (for list) to show the current configuration!



"Stolen" from [[https://www.virtuallyghetto.com/2014/01/how-to-restart-esxi-management-network.html]]