Error: "A specified parameter was not correct: parent" error when trying to power on a virtual machine in Cloud Director

Products

• VMware Cloud Director

Issue/Introduction

• Powering on a virtual machine (VM) in VMware Cloud Director (VCD) UI shows the error:
  
  [ ########-####-####-####-############ ] The operation could not be performed because the argument is invalid. A specified parameter was not correct: parent
 - A specified parameter was not correct: parent
  
  
• From the vCenter, at the time of the issue, operation to move the VM to a resource pool is carried out which fails with the error:

  A specified parameter was not correct: parent

• Saving the settings of the VM returns the following error without any changes being applied: 

  [ ########-####-####-####-############ ] Internal Server Error

Environment

VMware Cloud Director 10.x

Cause

This issue can occur if

• There are invalid resource pool mappings in VCD  for the affected VM and the Organization VDC (Org VDC) where it is located.
• The backing VM was cloned in vCenter by a user, the VCD VM is now pointing to the cloned VC VM.

Resolution

To resolve the issue:

1. 1. From vCenter UI verify that the affected VM is located in the correct resource pool for the Org VDC.
   2. Verify if the original VM was cloned in VC directly.
      1. Ensure it is safe to power off the cloned VM, remove it from VC inventory keeping only the original VM in VC. 
      2. Follow the articles listed in Step 4 to remove the affected VM is cleanly removed from VCD management and re-import to VCD.
   3. If the affected VM is located in the correct resource pool or the VC VM is not cloned, the inconsistency might be in the VCD database. For assistance, contact technical support and note this Knowledge Article ID (325484) in the problem description. For more information, see How to Submit a Support Request.
   4. Alternatively the affected VM can be removed from VCD/VC and re-add/re-import to VC/VCD to eliminate the inconsistency.
      • How to remove a virtual machine from Management in Cloud Director  
      • Once added to the VC, you can re-import it as per Import a VM from vCenter Server to an Existing vApp or Import a Virtual Machine from vCenter Server as a vApp