These instructions describe how to change the Network Adapter to work around network connectivity issues. Some symptoms include "Yellow System Button" or no network connection at all. Sometimes the connection will work for a few minutes and then fail.
If an SSD is moved from a different EPC or if an affected version of VirtualBox is running, the Network Adapter may have to be changed.
VirtualBox version 6.1.20 introduced a fix to a network adapter regression first introduced in v6.1.18 (change log - issue) that causes issues the Cassini Virtual Workstation configured with the "Intel(R) PRO/1000 Legacy Network Driver (MultiMac21-MMLEM) for OS/2" driver, the standard configuration for most deployed VMs. The symptom is that DHCP can not be reached to assign an IP address. Resolve this issue by changing the network adapter (preferred) or install VBox version 6.1.18 or (TBD) possible later version where it is fixed. Depending on network configuration and hardware, this may issue may not affect all installations.
To Identify Network Adapter Issue:
- If a "Error: Unable to locate the NIC" text appears during startup (See Figure 7), then follow the steps to Change Network Adapter below.
- Use this if your connection works for a while, and then fails.
- Launch the Cassini VM.
- From within the VM, launch a Command Prompt (Window) by choosing Command prompts from the right mouse button menu anywhere on the Desktop or use the Commands widget along the task bar.)
- Type ping XX.XX.XX.XX (replace with guru server IP address) look for the ping result. A typical result will show the ip address and some latency time, a failed result will show a timeout.
- If a timeout is returned, then Proceed to "To Change Network Adapter" below.
To Diagnose VirtualBox VM Network Connection Issue:
- Use this for when your connection never works.
- Launch the Cassini VM.
- From within the VM, launch a Command Prompt (Window) by choosing Command prompts from the right mouse button menu anywhere on the Desktop or use the Commands widget along the task bar.)
- Type ifconfig lan0 [enter] and and look for the 0.0.0.0 result. A typical result with a functional network adapter would return 10.0.2.XX where XX can be between 1 and 255.
- If 0.0.0.0 is returned, then Proceed to "To Change Network Adapter" below. If the value is anything but 0.0.0.0, then you do not need to proceed.
To Change Network Adapter:
- From the OS task bar, choose System Setup > Network > Adapters and Protocols (see Figure 1).
- Confirm that the Intel(R) PRO/1000 Legacy Network Driver (MultiMac21-MMLEM) for OS/2e is currently installed. (See Figure 2)
- Choose Adapter > Change Driver... (See Figure 3)
- For VirtualBox and some EPC mother boards, choose Intel(R) PRO/1000 Network Connection to highlight that entry and choose OK from the Select Adapter prompt. (See Figure 4)
Note: Some EPCs require a different network adapter like Realtalk Gigabit R8169, identify the correct one by searching the OEM NIC brand based on the mother board model. - Choose File > Exit and choose Save when asked to Save Changes? (See Figure 5 & Figure 6)
- Restart OS by choosing Power and Shut Down.
- Launch the Cassini VM and confirm network connection is available (if Guru is configured, the Log On button will be green). If the problem persists, check the Machine settings and confirm it is configured as "NAT" and see Fixing Guru Connection Issues (Yellow System Button), DHCP Monitor in eCS http://roos.com/docs/RBEH-8RCP9Y?Open for more information.
Figure 1: System Setup > Network > Adapters and Protocols
Figure 2: Network Adapters > Showing Default Network Adapter (OLD Config)
Figure 3: Adapter > Change Driver...
Figure 4: Choose Intel(R) PRO/1000 Network Connection
Figure 5: File > Exit
Figure 6: Save Changes? (Save)
Note: This issue was first observed with version 6.1.22, but the change log suggests it could have affected 6.1.20.
Figure 7: Error: Unable to locate the NIC