How to Move Virtual Machines Between Networks in ESXi Server

This guide shows how to move VM between networks in ESXi without breaking the guest. Moving a virtual machine from one network to another is a common lab and production task — isolating a machine, moving it to a DMZ, or reconnecting it after a network redesign. In ESXi this is done by changing which port group the VM’s network adapter is attached to.

Move VM between networks by editing the network adapter port group

VM NETWORKINGNIC RE-POINTINGENTERPRISE LABtimer 15 MIN LAB
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Nurul Huda AUTHORInfrastructure & Cloud Architect · Verified 2026

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● VALID ON THE CONFIG BELOW

dns LAB TOPOLOGY & PREREQUISITES

# example values used while writing and testing this guide

VM SPECS

Guestlab-vm1
NICs1, VMXNET3
Poweron or off

NETWORKS

SourceVM Network
TargetIsolated Lab VLAN
Methodedit adapter settings

VERIFY

IPrefresh in guest
Pingtarget gateway
Servicesstill up

01constructionStep 1: Have the Target Network Ready

First check in Networking → Port groups that a port group exists for the target network (create one if needed, as described in managing virtual networks in ESXi). Note its VLAN ID and whether it has DHCP service behind it.

02downloadStep 2: Edit the VM’s Network Adapter

Shut the guest down gracefully (or edit while powered off), open the VM’s Edit Settings, expand the network adapter and change the Network label from the current port group to the target one. Power the VM back on. Because you move VM between networks rarely, the verify step at the end matters most.

03usbStep 3: Refresh the Guest IP After You Move VM Between Networks

  • DHCP guest: inside the OS release and renew: ipconfig /release then ipconfig /renew on Windows, or restart networking on Linux
  • Static IP guest: update the address, subnet, gateway and DNS to match the new network’s plan, otherwise the VM keeps an address that does not work on the new segment

04terminalStep 4: Verify

From the guest, ping the new gateway, then another machine on the same segment, for example the second VM you put on the same network. In the VM’s Summary tab confirm the port group name updated. If ping fails, check the VLAN ID, the physical switch config, and the guest firewall (Windows blocks ICMP by default).

05settings_ethernetMoving Many VMs at Once

With vCenter you can multi-select VMs and reassign networks in bulk, or automate with PowerCLI: Get-VM web01 | Get-NetworkAdapter | Set-NetworkAdapter -Portgroup "Lab-DMZ". This pairs well with connecting a VM to the data network exercises.

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