How to configure ESX 3.5 (3.x) Service Console networking:

1) This command "esxcfg-vswif -i <10.10.10.1> -n <255.255.255.0> vswif0" modifies the network configuration file /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-vswif0

# Broadcom CorporationNetXtreme BCM5754 Gigabit Ethernet
DEVICE=vswif0
BOOTPROTO=static
ONBOOT=yes
PORTGROUP="Service Console"
MACADDR=00:50:56:4f:12:ae
BROADCAST=172.17.10.255
IPADDR=172.17.10.201
NETMASK=255.255.255.0

2) Edit the route file /etc/sysconfig/network

NETWORKING=yes
GATEWAYDEV=vswif0
GATEWAY=172.17.10.1
HOSTNAME=vinycesxtest.valiantinsurance.com

3) Edit the DNS resolver file /etc/resolv.conf

nameserver 172.16.2.4
nameserver 172.16.2.5
search valiantinsurance.com