DD-WRT x86 not recognizing interfaces

[roguewave]

Attempting to install DD-WRT v24 x86 VM on ESXi 5.5.0 on an ASUS Z871-Deluxe (Intel I217V Gigabit Ethernet Controller) / i7 4770.
Windows 8.1 is connected to the internal switch, and is pulling a 192.168.1.x IP, GW, DNS, etc - but it isn't able to ping GW or open the config page.
Consoled into DD-WRT, I get a whole lot of "connect: Network is unreachable" and "gethostbyname" Network is unreachable"
Is this a NIC compatability issue?

Thanks guys