Kernel debugging over serial should be possible in vSphere, but Ethernet is easier to set up:
1. Make sure at least one virtual NIC on the target VM (with IP connectivity to the debug host machine/VM) is on Microsoft's NIC whitelist[1]. I use e1000e; note that vmxnet3 is not on the list.
2. Follow Microsoft's directions[2] to connect.
I can confirm this works on vSphere[3] and there's no reason it shouldn't also work on VMware Workstation, Player, and Fusion.
[3] Tested last week with a Windows Server 2022 target (e1000e virtual NIC) and Windows 10 debug host (vmxnet3 virtual NIC), both running on ESXi 8.0 Update 1 VM hosts.
1. Make sure at least one virtual NIC on the target VM (with IP connectivity to the debug host machine/VM) is on Microsoft's NIC whitelist[1]. I use e1000e; note that vmxnet3 is not on the list.
2. Follow Microsoft's directions[2] to connect.
I can confirm this works on vSphere[3] and there's no reason it shouldn't also work on VMware Workstation, Player, and Fusion.
[1] https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/d...
[2] https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/d...
[3] Tested last week with a Windows Server 2022 target (e1000e virtual NIC) and Windows 10 debug host (vmxnet3 virtual NIC), both running on ESXi 8.0 Update 1 VM hosts.