vCenter Server installation fails with an error stating that the FQDN of the server cannot be resolved

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:

• Cannot install vCenter Server.
• The vCenter Server installer fails to complete.
• A popup reports that the FQDN of the server cannot be resolved.
• The FQDN has been verified and does resolve properly.

Environment

VMware vCenter Server 7.0.x

VMware vCenter Server 8.0.x

Cause

This issue occurs when the DNS reverse lookup is not returning a FQDN or is returning an incorrect FQDN.

Resolution

To resolve this issue, ensure that the DNS server(s) is accessible.

 

To troubleshoot and resolve this issue:

1. In the DNS server, open the reverse lookup zone and find the IP address associated with the vCenter Server.
2. Check if the IP address entry exist.

• If the IP address entry does not exist, create a reverse lookup record for the server.
• If the IP address entry exists, check if the associated FQDN in the DNS reverse lookup zone record matches the FQDN that the server is attempting to use.
• If it does not match, modify the reverse lookup record with the correct FQDN.

Note: Depending on the environment, DNS changes may take effect immediately or may take some time before the information is propagated. For example, if you make changes to your Microsoft DNS that is on a domain controller and the server on which you are installing vCenter Server is using that domain controller as its primary DNS server, the changes take effect immediately. If you make the DNS changes on another domain controller running DNS, it may take some time before the changes are propagated.