Enabling Lockdown mode in vCenter Server fails with the error: General system error occurred: Invalid response

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:

• Enabling Lockdown mode in vCenter Server via Configuration > Security Profile fails
• You see the error:
  
  A general system error occurred: Invalid response
  Call "HostSystem.DisableAdmin" for object "<hostname>" on vCenter Server "<vCenter Server name>" failed

Environment

VMware vCenter Server 4.1.x

Cause

This issue occurs if Lockdown mode is enabled via the DCUI on the ESXi console.

Resolution

To resolve this issue:

1. Log in to the DCUI on the ESXi console and disable Lockdown mode. For more information, see Enabling or disabling Lockdown mode on an ESXi host (1008077).
2. Enable Lockdown mode in vCenter Server.
3. 1. Launch the vCenter Server, select the host and navigate to Configuration > Security Profile.
   2. Under Lockdown Mode, click Edit and select Enable Lockdown Mode.

Additional Information

Enabling or disabling Lockdown mode on an ESXi host