So I was just installed some Windows updates since it had been awhile (31 had piled up) when I noticed this server lost connectivity very shortly after I began installing the updates. I checked on Network Connections, and there were none. I checked in device man. and there is no longer even a category of "Network Adapters". It's like they just vanished. Note I didnt choose to shutdown and install updates. I installed updates while the OS was running.
At first I figured maybe this was some behavior that I was unaware of... that windows would cut off access to the NICs or something while updates are installing. But after they finished and rebooted, I still have no NICs to speak of. No trace of them in device managers. Not even link lights where the Ethernet connection is plugged in.
I know there's not a lot of info to work with here, but I have no idea what to even try to begin with. Appreciate any ideas.