Applying Host Profile Error "Error setting advanced options on the host"

Products

• VMware
• VMware vCenter Server
• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:

• Applying Host Profile fails at 22% with error: Cannot apply the host configuration. Error setting advanced options on the host. View the Host logs for details.
• /var/log/hostd.log file on the ESXi shows the below error

info hostd[FFC2EB70] [Originator@6876 sub=Vimsvc.HaUserManager opID=## user=vpxuser] Set called for key 'DCUI.Access'
warning hostd[FFC2EB70] [Originator@6876 sub=UserDirectory opID=## user=vpxuser] User lookup failed for 'admin'
error hostd[FFC2EB70] [Originator@6876 sub=Vimsvc.HaUserManager opID=## user=vpxuser] No such user: 'admin'!
info hostd[FFC2EB70] [Originator@6876 sub=Default opID=## user=vpxuser] AdapterServer caught exception: vim.fault.UserNotFound

verbose hostd[FFC2EB70] [Originator@6876 sub=Solo.Vmomi opID=## user=vpxuser] Arg changedValue:
--> (vim.option.OptionValue) [
-->    (vim.option.OptionValue) {
-->       key = "DCUI.Access",
-->       value = "admin, root"
-->    }
--> ]
info hostd[FFC2EB70] [Originator@6876 sub=Solo.Vmomi opID=## user=vpxuser] Throw vim.fault.UserNotFound
info hostd[FFC2EB70] [Originator@6876 sub=Solo.Vmomi opID=## user=vpxuser] Result:
--> (vim.fault.UserNotFound) {
-->    faultCause = (vmodl.MethodFault) null,
-->    principal = "admin",
-->    unresolved = false,
-->    msg = ""
--> }
error hostd[FFC2EB70] [Originator@6876 sub=SoapAdapter opID=## user=vpxuser] Method vim.option.OptionManager.updateValues threw undeclared fault of type vim.fault.UserNotFound

• User 'admin' does not exist on the ESXi host where the Host Profile fails but is present on the Reference Host for Host Profile

Note: The user account listed for the value can vary depending on the configuration of source host from which the profile has been created. 

Environment

VMware vCenter Server
VMware vSphere ESXi

Cause

The host from which the host profile has was extracted, has a custom user accounts part of the DCUI Access list. These were absent on the target host to which the profile is being applied.  

Resolution

The missing user accounts need to be created on the target hosts. 

• Log onto the ESXi host Client https://<esxihostname>/ui
• Click on Manage > Security and Users > Users > Add user
  
  
  
• In the "Add a user" screen:
  • Enter the missing user name, example Admin
  • Enter a password for the user.
  • Check to Enable Shell Access.
  • Click Add