Bridged Networking Error: `error detecting host IP: unable to find vmnetdhcp conf file`

[ohshazbot]

Overview of the Issue

Attempting to build a vm with

  network = "bridged"
  network_name = "bridge"

fails with error "unable to find vmnetdhcp conf file"

Reproduction Steps

Try to build a vm with a bridged network, observe that it fails

Plugin and Packer version

Packer: v1.14.3
Plugin: v1.2.0

Desktop Hypervisor and Version

VMware Workstation 17.6.3 on Linux

Simplified Packer Buildfile

packer {
  required_plugins {
    vmware = { 
      version = "~> 1"
      source = "github.com/hashicorp/vmware"
    }   
  }
}

source "vmware-iso" "ubuntu" {
  # Path to your Ubuntu ISO file
  iso_url = "https://releases.ubuntu.com/24.04.3/ubuntu-24.04.3-live-server-amd64.iso"
  iso_checksum = "sha256:c3514bf0056180d09376462a7a1b4f213c1d6e8ea67fae5c25099c6fd3d8274b" # Pulled from https://releases.ubuntu.com/
  guest_os_type = "ubuntu64Guest"

  disk_size = 10240

  cpus = 1 
  memory = 2048
  network = "bridged"
  network_name = "bridge"
  format = "ova"

  # VMware product specific settings (adjust as needed for Workstation/Fusion)
  # For VMware Workstation, you might need to specify the path to vmrun
  # vmrun_binary = "/path/to/vmrun"

  # SSH credentials for post-installation configuration
  ssh_username = "user"
  ssh_password = "password" # TODO: replace with better secret
  ssh_timeout  = "10m"
  ssh_clear_authorized_keys = true

  # Output directory for the VM
  output_directory = "output-ubuntu-vmware"

  # VM configuration
  headless          = true # Set to true for no GUI during build

}

# a build block invokes sources and runs provisioning steps on them. The
# documentation for build blocks can be found here:
# https://www.packer.io/docs/templates/hcl_templates/blocks/build
build {
  sources = ["source.vmware-iso.ubuntu"]
}

Operating system and Environment details

Ubuntu 24.04

Log Fragments and crash.log files

2025/12/08 13:14:51 [INFO] Packer version: 1.14.3 [go1.24.0 linux amd64]
2025/12/08 13:14:51 [INFO] PACKER_CONFIG env var not set; checking the default config file path
2025/12/08 13:14:51 [INFO] PACKER_CONFIG env var set; attempting to open config file: /home/john/.packerconfig
2025/12/08 13:14:51 [WARN] Config file doesn't exist: /home/john/.packerconfig
2025/12/08 13:14:51 [INFO] Setting cache directory: /home/john/.cache/packer
2025/12/08 13:14:51 [TRACE] listing potential installations for "github.com/hashicorp/vmware" that match "~> 1". plugingetter.ListInstallationsOptions{PluginDirectory:"/home/john/.config/packer/plugins", BinaryInstallationOptions:plugingetter.BinaryInstallationOptions{APIVersionMajor:"5", APIVersionMinor:"0", OS:"linux", ARCH:"amd64", Ext:"", Checksummers:[]plugingetter.Checksummer{plugingetter.Checksummer{Type:"sha256", Hash:(*sha256.Digest)(0xc0000c3180)}}, ReleasesOnly:false}}
2025/12/08 13:14:51 [TRACE] Found the following "github.com/hashicorp/vmware" installations: [{/home/john/.config/packer/plugins/github.com/hashicorp/vmware/packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 v1.2.0 x5.0}]
2025/12/08 13:14:51 [INFO] found external [iso vmx] builders from vmware plugin
2025/12/08 13:14:51 [TRACE] listing potential installations for <nil> that match "". plugingetter.ListInstallationsOptions{PluginDirectory:"/home/john/.config/packer/plugins", BinaryInstallationOptions:plugingetter.BinaryInstallationOptions{APIVersionMajor:"5", APIVersionMinor:"0", OS:"linux", ARCH:"amd64", Ext:"", Checksummers:[]plugingetter.Checksummer{plugingetter.Checksummer{Type:"sha256", Hash:(*sha256.Digest)(0xc0006a4000)}}, ReleasesOnly:false}}
2025/12/08 13:14:51 [INFO] found external [iso vmx] builders from vmware plugin
2025/12/08 13:14:51 [TRACE] Using protobuf for communication with plugins
2025/12/08 13:14:51 [INFO] Starting external plugin /home/john/.config/packer/plugins/github.com/hashicorp/vmware/packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 start builder --protobuf iso
2025/12/08 13:14:51 Starting plugin: /home/john/.config/packer/plugins/github.com/hashicorp/vmware/packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 []string{"/home/john/.config/packer/plugins/github.com/hashicorp/vmware/packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64", "start", "builder", "--protobuf", "iso"}
2025/12/08 13:14:51 Waiting for RPC address for: /home/john/.config/packer/plugins/github.com/hashicorp/vmware/packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64
2025/12/08 13:14:51 Received unix RPC address for /home/john/.config/packer/plugins/github.com/hashicorp/vmware/packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64: addr is /tmp/packer-plugin3064939420
2025/12/08 13:14:51 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: 2025/12/08 13:14:51 Plugin address: unix /tmp/packer-plugin3064939420
2025/12/08 13:14:51 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: 2025/12/08 13:14:51 Waiting for connection...
2025/12/08 13:14:51 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: 2025/12/08 13:14:51 Serving a plugin connection...
2025/12/08 13:14:51 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: 2025/12/08 13:14:51 [TRACE] starting builder iso
2025/12/08 13:14:51 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: 2025/12/08 13:14:51 [DEBUG] - common: sending ConfigSpec as protobuf
2025/12/08 13:14:51 [DEBUG] - common: receiving ConfigSpec as protobuf
2025/12/08 13:14:51 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: 2025/12/08 13:14:51 [DEBUG] - common: sending ConfigSpec as protobuf
2025/12/08 13:14:51 [DEBUG] - common: receiving ConfigSpec as protobuf
will forcibly halt the virtual machine, which may result in data loss.

  on template.pkr.hcl line 10:
  (source code not available)

2025/12/08 13:14:51 Build debug mode: false
2025/12/08 13:14:51 Force build: false
2025/12/08 13:14:51 On error: 
2025/12/08 13:14:51 Waiting on builds to complete...
2025/12/08 13:14:51 Starting build run: vmware-iso.ubuntu
2025/12/08 13:14:51 Running builder: vmware-iso
2025/12/08 13:14:51 [INFO] (telemetry) Starting builder vmware-iso.ubuntu
Warning: A shutdown_command was not specified. Without a shutdown command, Packer
will forcibly halt the virtual machine, which may result in data loss.

  on template.pkr.hcl line 10:
  (source code not available)


2025/12/08 13:14:51 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: 2025/12/08 13:14:51 [INFO] Searching for VMware Workstation...
�[1;32mvmware-iso.ubuntu: output will be in this color.�[0m

2025/12/08 13:14:52 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: 2025/12/08 13:14:52 [INFO] VMware Workstation: 17.6.3
2025/12/08 13:14:52 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: 2025/12/08 13:14:52 [INFO] - vmware found at: /usr/bin/vmware
2025/12/08 13:14:52 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: 2025/12/08 13:14:52 [INFO] - vmrun found at: /usr/bin/vmrun
2025/12/08 13:14:52 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: 2025/12/08 13:14:52 [INFO] - vmware-vdiskmanager found at: /usr/bin/vmware-vdiskmanager
2025/12/08 13:14:52 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: 2025/12/08 13:14:52 [INFO] VMware Workstation: 17.6.3
2025/12/08 13:14:52 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: 2025/12/08 13:14:52 [INFO] Skipping license check for version >= 17.6.2
2025/12/08 13:14:52 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: 2025/12/08 13:14:52 Using driver *common.WorkstationDriver, Success: true
2025/12/08 13:14:52 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: 2025/12/08 13:14:52 [INFO] Verifying that ovftool exists...
2025/12/08 13:14:52 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: 2025/12/08 13:14:52 [INFO] Checking ovftool version...
2025/12/08 13:14:52 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: 2025/12/08 13:14:52 [INFO] Returned ovftool version: VMware ovftool 4.6.3 (build-24031167)
2025/12/08 13:14:52 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: .
�[1;32m==> vmware-iso.ubuntu: Retrieving ISO�[0m
2025/12/08 13:14:52 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: 2025/12/08 13:14:52 Acquiring lock for: https://releases.ubuntu.com/24.04.3/ubuntu-24.04.3-live-server-amd64.iso?checksum=sha256%3Ac3514bf0056180d09376462a7a1b4f213c1d6e8ea67fae5c25099c6fd3d8274b (/home/john/.cache/packer/73b4f11c1cb8dc57fb78ad9d7b5baf123159250e.iso.lock)
�[1;32m==> vmware-iso.ubuntu: Trying https://releases.ubuntu.com/24.04.3/ubuntu-24.04.3-live-server-amd64.iso�[0m
�[1;32m==> vmware-iso.ubuntu: Trying https://releases.ubuntu.com/24.04.3/ubuntu-24.04.3-live-server-amd64.iso?checksum=sha256%3Ac3514bf0056180d09376462a7a1b4f213c1d6e8ea67fae5c25099c6fd3d8274b�[0m
2025/12/08 13:14:54 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: 2025/12/08 13:14:54 Leaving retrieve loop for ISO
�[1;32m==> vmware-iso.ubuntu: https://releases.ubuntu.com/24.04.3/ubuntu-24.04.3-live-server-amd64.iso?checksum=sha256%3Ac3514bf0056180d09376462a7a1b4f213c1d6e8ea67fae5c25099c6fd3d8274b => /home/john/.cache/packer/73b4f11c1cb8dc57fb78ad9d7b5baf123159250e.iso�[0m
�[1;32m==> vmware-iso.ubuntu: Configuring output and export directories...�[0m
�[1;32m==> vmware-iso.ubuntu: Creating temporary RSA SSH key for instance...�[0m
2025/12/08 13:14:55 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: 2025/12/08 13:14:55 No floppy files specified. Floppy disk will not be made.
�[1;32m==> vmware-iso.ubuntu: Creating virtual machine disks...�[0m
2025/12/08 13:14:55 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: 2025/12/08 13:14:55 No CD files specified. CD disk will not be made.
2025/12/08 13:14:55 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: 2025/12/08 13:14:55 [INFO] Creating disk with Path: output-ubuntu-vmware/disk.vmdk and Size: 10240M
2025/12/08 13:14:55 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: 2025/12/08 13:14:55 [INFO] Running: /usr/bin/vmware-vdiskmanager -c -s 10240M -a lsilogic -t 1 output-ubuntu-vmware/disk.vmdk
2025/12/08 13:14:55 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: 2025/12/08 13:14:55 stdout: Creating disk 'output-ubuntu-vmware/disk.vmdk'
2025/12/08 13:14:55 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: Virtual disk creation successful.
2025/12/08 13:14:55 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: 2025/12/08 13:14:55 stderr:
�[1;32m==> vmware-iso.ubuntu: Generating the .vmx file...�[0m
2025/12/08 13:14:55 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: 2025/12/08 13:14:55 [INFO] A network mapper configuration file does not exist in the default path: /etc/vmware/netmap.conf
2025/12/08 13:14:55 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: 2025/12/08 13:14:55 [INFO] Checking alternate path for network mapper configuration file: /etc/vmware/networking
2025/12/08 13:14:55 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: 2025/12/08 13:14:55 [INFO] Located the network mapper configuration file: /etc/vmware/networking
2025/12/08 13:14:55 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: 2025/12/08 13:14:55 [INFO] Writing VMX to: output-ubuntu-vmware/packer-ubuntu.vmx
2025/12/08 13:14:55 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: 2025/12/08 13:14:55 [INFO] Configuring VMX...
2025/12/08 13:14:55 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: 2025/12/08 13:14:55 [INFO] Writing VMX to: output-ubuntu-vmware/packer-ubuntu.vmx
2025/12/08 13:14:55 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: 2025/12/08 13:14:55 [INFO] Suppressing messages in VMX
2025/12/08 13:14:55 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: 2025/12/08 13:14:55 [INFO] A network mapper configuration file does not exist in the default path: /etc/vmware/netmap.conf
2025/12/08 13:14:55 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: 2025/12/08 13:14:55 [INFO] Checking alternate path for network mapper configuration file: /etc/vmware/networking
2025/12/08 13:14:55 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: 2025/12/08 13:14:55 [INFO] Located the network mapper configuration file: /etc/vmware/networking
2025/12/08 13:14:55 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: 2025/12/08 13:14:55 [INFO] HostIP discovered device matching bridged: vmnet0
2025/12/08 13:14:55 packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64 plugin: 2025/12/08 13:14:55 Error finding configuration file in device path: /etc/vmware/vmnet0
�[1;31m==> vmware-iso.ubuntu: error detecting host IP: unable to find vmnetdhcp conf file:�[0m
�[1;32m==> vmware-iso.ubuntu: Deleting output directory...�[0m
2025/12/08 13:14:55 [INFO] (telemetry) ending vmware-iso.ubuntu
==> Wait completed after 3 seconds 195 milliseconds
2025/12/08 13:14:55 machine readable: error-count []string{"1"}
==> Some builds didn't complete successfully and had errors:
2025/12/08 13:14:55 machine readable: vmware-iso.ubuntu,error []string{"error detecting host IP: unable to find vmnetdhcp conf file: "}
==> Builds finished but no artifacts were created.
2025/12/08 13:14:55 [INFO] (telemetry) Finalizing.
�[1;31mBuild 'vmware-iso.ubuntu' errored after 3 seconds 195 milliseconds: error detecting host IP: unable to find vmnetdhcp conf file: �[0m

==> Wait completed after 3 seconds 195 milliseconds

==> Some builds didn't complete successfully and had errors:
--> vmware-iso.ubuntu: error detecting host IP: unable to find vmnetdhcp conf file: 

==> Builds finished but no artifacts were created.
2025/12/08 13:14:55 waiting for all plugin processes to complete...
2025/12/08 13:14:55 /home/john/.config/packer/plugins/github.com/hashicorp/vmware/packer-plugin-vmware_v1.2.0_x5.0_linux_amd64: plugin process exited

[tenthirtyam]

Updated the above to include more details:

### Plugin and Packer version

Packer: v1.14.3
Plugin: v1.2.0

## Desktop Hypervisor and Version

VMware Workstation 17.6.3 on Linux

[tenthirtyam]

@ohshazbot

• What is the host operating system anmd version on which VMware Workstation is installed?
• Is VMware Workstation installed to the default or a custom path?

[ohshazbot]

@ohshazbot

* What is the host operating system anmd version on which VMware Workstation is installed?

Ubuntu 24.04.3 LTS

* Is VMware Workstation installed to the default or a custom path?

default path I'm pretty sure, bin is at /usr/bin/vmware

[ohshazbot]

Also experiencing this with VMware Workstation 25.0.0 24995812

[tenthirtyam]

I can schedule some time to try to reproduce this in my environments which are running 17.6.3 and 25H2 on Ubuntu 24.04.

[edmcman]

I'm also encountering this on Vmware Fusion Professional 25H2 (24995814). In /Library/Preferences/VMWare Fusion, there are vmnet1 and vmnet8 directories, but no vmnet0. It seems like vmnet0 might no longer be a thing.

This is on Mac Sequoia 15.7.3.