Cannot configure HA for a new ESXi host added to a cluster of ESX hosts

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:

• You are unable to configure HA for a new ESXi host that is added to a cluster of existing ESX hosts
• HA was working properly for the ESX hosts in the cluster
• In the Tasks and Events tab, you see the error:
  
  HA agent on <esxhostname> in cluster <clustername> in <datacenter> has an error Incompatible HA Networks:
  Cluster has network(s) missing on host: x.x.x.x
  Consider using the Advanced Cluster Settings das.allowNetwork to control network usage.

Environment

VMware ESXi 4.0.x Installable
VMware ESX 4.0.x
VMware ESX 4.1.x
VMware ESXi 4.1.x Installable
VMware ESXi 4.0.x Embedded
VMware ESXi 3.5.x Embedded
VMware ESXi 3.5.x Installable
VMware vSphere ESXi 5.1
VMware ESXi 4.1.x Embedded
VMware ESX Server 3.5.x
VMware vSphere ESXi 5.0

Cause

This issue occurs because the name of the management service networking vmkernel ports in ESX and ESXi do not match.

By default, ESX names the vmkernel port as Service Console, whereas ESXi names it as Management Network.

Resolution

To resolve this issue and to configure HA successfully:

1. In the vSphere Client, right-click the cluster and click Edit Settings.
2. Click vSphere HA and then click Advanced Options.
3. In the Advanced Options window, add these options and the corresponding values:
   
   
   • Option – das.allowNetwork0
     Value – Service Console
     
   • Option – das.allowNetwork1
     Value – Management Network
     
     Note: These are default values for names created during installation. If you have renamed either the Service Console or Management Network after the installation, enter corresponding names for Value.
     
     
4. Click OK.
5. Click Cluster Features.
6. Deselect the Turn On vSphere HA option.
7. Click OK.
8. After HA is un-configured, right-click the cluster and click Edit Settings.
9. Click Cluster Features.
10. Select the Turn On vSphere HA option. HA should now configure correctly for all hosts in the cluster.

For more information on the Advanced Configuration options, see Advanced Configuration options for VMware High Availability (1006421).

Additional Information

Advanced Configuration options for VMware High Availability for pre-5.0

Impact/Risks: