"Host did not have any virtual network defined" error while deploying OVF in VC/ESXi host

Products

• VMware vCenter Server
• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Deploying OVF template, under Network Settings there is no network shown and when you proceed to next step it fails with error "Host did not have any virtual network defined" as per below screenshots.

Cause

By default, Network Mapping from OVF options.json was referring to "VM Network" attribute in network settings which wasn't created

Resolution

• Create a new vSwitch and port-group named "VM Network" on the vCenter Server.
  
  
• From the vCenter Server, select one of the ESXi host > Configure > Networking > Virtual Switches > click on ADD NETWORKING.
  
  
  • You will be promoted a new wizard to add networking
    Under "Select connection type" select the option "Virtual Machine Port Group for a Standard Switch" > Next
  • Under "Select target device" select "New standard switch" > Next
  • Under "Crete a Standard Switch" section do not select any physical network adapter and click on Next. Click on "OK" for the no physical network adapter warning
  • Under "Connection Settings" Update the Network label as "VM Network" > Next
  • Under "Ready to complete" click on Finish.
    
    
• Edit the .ovf file and replace all the Network label to the newly created port group "VM Network"
  
  
• Retry the OVF deployment as per below screenshot you should be able to see the "VM Network" option now and successfully complete the OVF deployment.