Details
If a network switch is configured with a large Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) forwarding delay, the ESX Server installation might fail because the installer might time out waiting to obtain either a DHCP address, a kickstart script, or an installation file from the network.
Solution
Starting with ESX Server 3.5 Update1, the nicdelay parameter is introduced in the ESX Server installer to increase the time interval for which the installer waits before attempting to retrieve files from the network.
The parameter should be specified at the boot: prompt when booting from a CD or a network installation file, using the command:
esx nicdelay=<n>
Here, n is the time interval for which the installer waits before attempting to retrieve files from the network.
esx nicdelay=<n>
Here, n is the time interval for which the installer waits before attempting to retrieve files from the network.
For example, if the STP forwarding delay is 30 seconds, you can configure the nicdelay parameter to be 35 seconds by using the the command:
esx nicdelay=35
esx nicdelay=35
Based on VMware KB 1004079
