Cannot clone virtual machines across hosts in different clusters

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:

• Cannot clone virtual machines across hosts in different clusters
• Cloning virtual machines across hosts in different clusters fails
• You see the error:
  
  Network interface 'Network adapter #' uses network 'port group name', which is not accessible

Environment

VMware vCenter Server 4.0.x
VMware vCenter Server 5.0.x
VMware vCenter Server 4.1.x

Cause

This issue occurs if the port group names do not have the same unique label across hosts.

Port group naming is case sensitive and must have the same unique label across hosts.

Resolution

To workaround this issue, ensure that the port group labels or names across the hosts match.

To ensure that the port group labels are the same:

1. Click the source host.
2. Click the Configuration tab.
3. Click Networking.
4. Make a note of the source port group name.
5. Click the destination host.
6. Click the Configuration tab.
7. Click Networking.
8. Compare the destination port group name with the source port group name noted in Step 4.
9. If they are different, change one of them to match the other:
   
   
   1. Click Properties for the vSwitch where the port group resides.
   2. Click the port group in the list under vSwitch Properties and click Edit.
   3. Change the Network Label to match the other host.
      
      Note: If there are other virtual machines on the port group that you are changing, ensure to update the Network Connection/Label in the settings of each of these virtual machines.
      
      
   4. Click OK and then Close.