Attempting to deploy OVA/OVF to ESXi host fails with Error: "Access to resource settings on the host is restricted to the server that is managing it: xx.xx.xx.xx"

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

• Unable to deploy OVA/OVF directly onto an ESXi host
• When deploying OVA/OVF using the ESXi vSphere Client, the below UI error appears:
  
  Access to resource settings on the host is restricted to the server that is managing it: xx.xx.xx.xx.

Cause

This is by design.

 

For example, if an ESXi Host is being managed by vCenter which is configured to have features such as Distributed Switches which are managed only by vCenter, changes should not be made directly on the ESXi Host.
The vCenter has additional options for OVF deployment that the host may not be aware of. If deploying an OVF to a host, this might only be a partial deployment.
If the OVF was received from a 3rd party, please consult with the third party if a host deployment is valid.

Resolution

It is recommended to Deploy OVF/OVA template using vCenter UI when host is managed by vCenter Server. Refer following doc: Deploy an OVF or OVA Template

As a workaround disconnect the ESXi Host from vCenter Server and proceed to deploy ovf/ova using Esxi UI.

• • Login to vCenter server UI
  • Disconnect the Host, refer Disconnect a Managed Host
  • Deploy the OVF/OVA using disconnected host UI.
  • Once the deployment is complete, re-connect the host to vCenter Server. Refer Reconnect a Managed Host 

Additional Information

Disconnecting host from vCenter command line options

• • SSH to the ESXi host via root
  • Stop the host's vpxa service to stop communication to the vCenter Server
    
    /etc/init.d/vpxa stop
/etc/init.d/hostd restart
    
    
  • Deploy the OVA/OVF via ESXi UI
  • After successful deployment, restart the vpxa service.
    
    /etc/init.d/vpxa start