VMware doesn’t like having two service console connections with different IP addresses in the same subnet, so I have two options.

1.  Create a service console connection in a different subnet and access the host from that subnet using the VIclient.
2.  Enter the commands directly on the host console.

I recommend option two.  Keep in mind that this process temporarily disrupts network communications to the host via the service console IP.

After obtaining physical access to the host’s console (or network access via a DRAC or ILO), log in and su – to establish root.

via Reassign a vswif to a new vmnic « Layer3.