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Windows Server Network Driver for Dell OptiPlex 5050

IT Infrastructure Architect

I'm currently experimenting with a refurbished small form factor Dell OptiPlex 5050 as a Hyper-V server in my Homelab. This model of computer is widely and cheaply available and supports 64GB of RAM, making it a cheap and accessible virtualisation host. 

However, by default Windows Server 2020 fails to recognise the on-board NIC. Initially this was not a problem for me as I had installed a PCIE Intel(R) PRO/1000 PT Dual Port NIC for SR-IOV goodness, but the lingering 'unknown device' in Device Manager was a source of frustration. 

After much searching, this YouTube video demonstrates a fix, which I summarise below for the benefit of those who prefer to read rather than watch:

Open Device Manager

Select the 'unknown device' | Right-Click | Update Driver

Select 'Browse my computer' then 'Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer'

Untick 'Show compatible hardware'

In the left pane, select manufacturer 'Intel Corporation'

In the right pane, select device 'Intel(R) Ethernet Connection I219-V' (without a numbered suffix) 

Manually install device 'Intel(R) Ethernet Connection I219-V'

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