Removing a Distributed Virtual Switch fails with error: DVS DvsPortset-n has 1 shadow or zombie port

Products

• VMware vCenter Server
• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:

• An ESX host is moved from one vSphere VirtualCenter server to another.
• The first and second VirtualCenter servers both have Distributed Virtual Switches (DVS) configured.
• The Add Host wizard succeeds, and the ESX host appears in the second VirtualCenter server
• After adding the new ESX Host, the DvPortGroup information is not visible.
• Connecting to the ESX Host directly with the vSphere Client shows the DVS.
• Attempting to remove the DVS using the vSphere Client at Configuration > Networking > DVS > Remove fails with the error:
  
  DVS DvsPortset-n has 1 shadow or zombie port

Environment

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

Resolution

This issue occurs due to the ESX or ESXi host was participating in a Distributed Virtual Switch on the previous VirtualCenter. The ESX host maintains local record of the DVS, and this conflicts with the new VirtualCenter configuration.

The issue is resolved with ESX/ESXi 4.1 Update 2 VMware ESXi 4.1, Patch ESXi410-201110201-SG Updates the VMware ESXi 4.1 Firmware (2002339)

Additional Information

VMware ESXi 4.1, Patch ESXi410-201110201-SG Updates the VMware ESXi 4.1 Firmware