[root@localhost:~] vmware -vl
VMware ESXi 6.5.0 build-5310538
VMware ESXi 6.5.0 GA

[root@localhost:~] esxcli network nic list
Name PCI Device Driver Admin Status Link Status Speed Duplex MAC Address MTU Description
—— ———— —— ———— ———– —– —— —————– —- ———————————————
vmnic0 0000:00:19.0 ne1000 Up Up 1000 Full 00:23:24:XX:XX:XX 1500 Intel Corporation Ethernet Connection I217-LM
[root@localhost:~] esxcfg-nics -l
Name PCI Driver Link Speed Duplex MAC Address MTU Description
vmnic0 0000:00:19.0 ne1000 Up 1000Mbps Full 00:23:24:XX:XX:XX 1500 Intel Corporation Ethernet Connection I217-LM
[root@localhost:~]

Step 1 – If you are upgrading from an existing ESXi 5.5 or 6.0 environment, the first thing you will want to do is uninstall the old driver by running the following command (specify the correct name of the driver):

esxcli software vib remove -n vghetto-ax88179-esxi60u2

If you have a fresh install of ESXi 6.5, jump straight to Step 2.

Step 2 – Install the VIB by running the following ESXCLI command to install:

esxcli software vib install -v /vghetto-ax88179-esxi65.vib -f

Step 3 – Next, you will need to disable the USB native driver to be able to use this driver. To do so, run the following command:

esxcli system module set -m=vmkusb -e=FALSE

Step 4 – Lastly, for the changes to go into effect, you will need to reboot your ESXi host. Once your system has rebooted, it should now automatically load the USB Ethernet driver and you should see your USB Ethernet Adapter as shown in the screenshot below