Applying a host profile fails with the error: Invalid argument

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:

• Applying a host profile fails
• The /var/log/vmware/hostd.log file on the ESX host contains entries similar to:
  
  [2010-01-19 14:48:26.094 02564 info 'App'] [VpxLRO] -- FINISH task-557470 -- -- vim.profile.host.ProfileManager.applyHostConfiguration -- 140FF00A-59DA-46B6-B0C8-BD1F59A27783(F4D54332-50B4-4D2C-A462-8BDECF3A6B73)
  [2010-01-19 14:48:26.094 02564 info 'App'] [VpxLRO] -- ERROR task-557470 -- -- vim.profile.host.ProfileManager.applyHostConfiguration: vim.fault.PlatformConfigFault:
  (vim.fault.PlatformConfigFault) {
  dynamicType = <unset>,
  faultCause = (vmodl.MethodFault) null,
  text = "Invalid argument: Invalid argument",
  msg = "Error during the configuration of the host: Invalid argument: Invalid argument",
  }
  
• Changing vmnics to autonegotiate through the vSphere Client or through the esxcfg-nics command on the ESX host also fails with Invalid argument errors.

Environment

VMware vCenter Server 4.0.x

Resolution

These issues occur because host profiles cannot be applied to hosts if the vmnics do not support autonegotiate.

To workaround these issues. modify the host profiles to remove the NIC:

1. In the Host Profiles main view, select the profile to edit from the profile list.
2. Click Edit Host Profile.
3. Change the profile name or description in the fields at the top of the Profile Editor.
4. Edit or disable the policy (remove the NIC from PNIC configuration).
5. Enable the policy compliance check.
6. Click OK to close the Profile Editor.