The resource 'Port-ID' is in use error when removing a host from vSphere Distributed Switch (vDS) when nothing is using it

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

When an ESXi host has no running virtual machines and is on Maintenance Mode,  these symptoms are observed:

• Unable to remove an ESXi host from the vSphere Distributed Switch (vDS).
•  Error similar to this is seen:
  
  The resource '###' is in use. 
  
  Note: In this example, ### is the port-ID in use at that time. This could be any value.

Environment

VMware vSphere

Cause

In this situation, typically the vCenter database will contain a record that suggests that a dvPort with the number of '###' in "in use".  This is why vCenter is issuing that error message. 

However, when examining the output from the command esxcfg-vswitch -l on the ESXi host, the "in use" value associated with that dvPort "###" may show "0", indicating that it is not currently in use.

The dvPort "###" could be associated with a vmkernel interface.  The vmkernel interface could be one associated with Management, vMotion, VSAN or other services. 

Alternatively, the dvPort "###" could be associated with a virtual machine that has a snapshot that has not been consolidated.  

Lastly, the dvPort "###" could be associated with a virtual machine template.  

Resolution

The best way to remedy this will depend on which type of network connection is associated with the dvPort "###" in the error message.

If it is determined that:

1. The dvPort "###" is associated with a virtual machine or a virtual machine template, and
2. The Management vmkernel interface configured for the host is configured to use a standard switch (or a different vDS than the one in question);

Then follow the procedure below:

1. Place the ESXi host in Maintenance Mode  (NOTE:  If the ESXi host is part of a VSAN cluster, make sure to select the appropriate Maintenance Mode option that is suitable for a host to completely leave the VSAN cluster, as if it were being decommissioned. )
2. Disconnect the ESXi host from vCenter:  vSphere client -> vCenter -> Hosts and Clusters icon -> Right-click on the ESXi host -> Connection -> Disconnect
3. Once successfully disconnected, remove the ESXi host from vCenter (which will also remove the ESXi host from any vDS of which it is a member):  vSphere client -> vCenter -> Hosts and Clusters icon -> Right-click on the ESXi host -> Remove from inventory

In all other cases, we would suggest that please open a Support Case by following the process in Creating and managing Broadcom support cases.