Copying the vmdk file from the datastore browser fails with the error: Expected put message. Got: ERROR

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:

• Cannot copy the .vmdk file using the datastore browser
• Copying the .vmdk file using the datastore browser fails
• You see the error:
  
  Expected put message. Got: ERROR
   
• In the hostd.log file, you see the error:
  
  Read error from the nfcLib: NFC_FILE_ERROR

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi 5.1
VMware vSphere ESXi 6.0
VMware vSphere ESXi 5.5
VMware vSphere ESXi 6.7
VMware vSphere ESXi 6.5

Resolution

This is an expected behavior when the virtual machine is powered on.

 

To be able to copy the .vmdk file using the datastore browser, ensure that the virtual machine is powered off or shut down.

Connect to the ESXi host via the host UI and use the datastore browser on which the virtual machine resides on to copy the .vmdk file.
 

Alternatively, you can use a third party software, such as FileZilla or WinSCP, to copy the .vmdk file.

 

Additional Information