Cannot disable lockdown mode in the DCUI after a host disconnects from vCenter Server

Products

• VMware vCenter Server
• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

If you experience all of the above symptoms, consult the sections below.

If you experience some, but not all, of these symptoms, your issue is not related to this article. Search the Knowledge Base for your symptoms or Open a Support Request.

Symptoms:

• You cannot add a host back to vCenter Server with Lockdown Mode enabled previously.
• The option to configure Lockdown Mode is greyed out and not available in the DCUI.

Environment

VMware vCenter Server 4.1.x
VMware ESXi 4.1.x Installable
VMware ESXi 4.1.x Embedded

Cause

If Lockdown Mode is configured from the DCUI after adding the host to vCenter Server and this connection to vCenter Server is no longer valid:

• The host cannot be added to vCenter Server due to security settings
• Lockdown Mode cannot be disabled from the DCUI due to an existing vCenter Server connection.

Resolution

This issue is resolved in vCenter Server 4.1 Update 2.

To download vCenter Server 4.1 Update 2, see the VMware Download Center.

To work around this issue when you do not want to upgrade, reinstall ESXi to restore the connection to vCenter Server.

Note: If you experience this issue in vCenter Server 4.1 Update 2 or later releases, contact VMware Support. For more information, see How to Submit a Support Request.