"vSphere HA failed to create configuration Virtual Volume on the datastore"

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

• vSphere HA fails to configure when vVols are used with the error: 

vSphere HA failed to create configuration Virtual Volume on the datastore

• Hostd may contain log entries similar to the following:

info hostd[AC02B70] [Originator@6876 sub=Solo.Vmomi opID=DrsHaConfigWithTOCDialog-apply-1758079-ngc:70078155-ad-05-35-94f8 user=vpxuser] Result
:
--> (vim.fault.FileAlreadyExists) {
--> faultCause = (vmodl.MethodFault) null,
--> faultMessage = (vmodl.LocalizableMessage) [
--> (vmodl.LocalizableMessage) {
--> key = "com.vmware.esx.hostctl.default",
--> arg = (vmodl.KeyAnyValue) [
--> (vmodl.KeyAnyValue) {
--> key = "reason",
--> value = "Failed to create directory .vSphere-HA (File Already Exists)"

 

 

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi 7.0.1
VMware vSphere ESXi 7.0.0
VMware ESXi 6.7.x

Cause

In a HA setup, when multiple hosts are trying to create and mount config vvols with the same friendly name at the same time for example ".vSphere-HA", the config vvol with the oldest timestamp and the corresponding host which created it should be chosen. The vSphere Virtual Volumes algorithm uses UUID to pick the volume. However, the Config-VVol picked by UUID might not be the first one that the ESXi hosts in the cluster requests and this might create issues in the vSphere Virtual Volumes datastores.

The vSphere Virtual Volumes algorithm might not pick out the oldest timestamp and corresponding host Config-VVol that an ESXi host requests

Resolution

This issue has been resolved in the following releases: ESXi 7.0 U1c & ESXi 6.7 P04.  
VMware recommends upgrading to those versions to avoid encountering this behavior. 

If you encounter problems enabling HA when utilizing vVols please contact VMware Support for assistance.

Workaround:

If the ESXi OS is greater than the following releases: ESXi 7.0 U1c & ESXi 6.7 P04. Restart the vSphere HA service 

Steps to restart the HA service: 

• In vCenter vSphere Client URL go to the Host Cluster > Configure > vSphere Availability > vSphere HA is Turned ON >

• Click on the EDIT... button.
• A pop-up window opens Edit Cluster Settings select vSphere HA radio and turn off (not green) > click OK 

• Wait for sometime and let the configuration complete
• Then click on the EDIT... button once again 
• A pop-up window opens Edit Cluster Settings select vSphere HA radio and turn on (green) > click OK 
• Wait a few minutes for the datastore error to clear 

"vSphere HA failed to create configuration Virtual Volume on the datastore"

Additional Information

Impact/Risks:
vSphere HA cannot be configured