Starting the VMware Virtual Center Server service fails with error: "Failed to create Secure WebService socket: class Vmacore: SystemException"

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

• The VirtualCenter Server service starts, then stops after 2 minutes
• You cannot start the VirtualCenter Server service
• You see entries similar to:
  
  [11:15:15.444 03464 error 'App'] [VpxVmomi] Failed to create Secure WebService socket: class Vmacore::SystemException(An attempt was made to access a socket in a way forbidden by its access permissions. )
  [11:15:15.444 03464 error 'App'] [VpxdVmomi] Failed to start VMOMI services: An attempt was made to access a socket in a way forbidden by its access permissions.
  [11:15:15.444 03464 info 'App'] Shutting down VMware VirtualCenter...

Environment

• VMware vCenter Server 6.7.x
• VMware vCenter Server 5.5.x
• VMware vCenter Server 6.5.x
• VMware vCenter Server 6.0.x
• VMware vCenter Server 5.1.x
• VMware vCenter Server 5.0.x
• VMware vCenter Server 4.1.x

Cause

This issue occurs when another application is listening on port 80 and/or port 8089. These applications can include, but are not limited to, antivirus software, backup and recovery software, forwarders, or IIS.

Resolution

1. From the Windows command prompt, run this command to edit the ports.txt file:
   
   netstat -abn > C:\ports.txt
    
2. Search this file and locate the application(s) that use Port 8089 and/or Port 80.
3. Stop the application service.
   Note: If this application must run on the server, change the default port number of the application.
4. Stop IIS if it is being used in the vCenter Server machine.
   
   To stop IIS:
   1. Click Start > Run.
   2. Type inetmgr Stop IIS.
   3. Click OK.
5. Momentarily disable any antivirus software running on the vCenter Server machine to confirm if it resolves the issue.
6. Start the VMware VirtualCenter Server service.

Note: When a full version of Microsoft SQL Server is installed on vCenter Server, you may need to stop the SQL Server Reporting Services for the VMware VirtualCenter Server service to start successfully. For more information about the ports used by SQL Server Reporting, see Configure a Firewall for Report Server Access.

Additional Information

Examples of common services on these ports include:

• Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) – If you do not want the IIS functionality, stop and disable the IIS Administration and World Wide Web Publishing Services. For more information, see Install IIS 8.5 using the Server Manager.
• World Wide Web Publishing Services (W3SVC) – For more information, see IIS World Wide Web Publishing Service (W3SVC).
• Branch Cache Service - For more information, see Branch Cache Overview.
• Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Service (SSRS) – For more information, see Install Reporting Services and Internet Information Services Side-by-Side.
• Routing and Remote Access service (RRAS) – For more information, Routing and Remote Access Service.
  
  In addition, ensure that these services are not running in the vCenter Server:
   
• Microsoft Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol (SSTP) – Check that this service is not enabled automatically through group policies.
• Microsoft Web Deployment Agent Service (MsDepSvc) – For more information, see Web Deployment Tool Installation.
• The HP Store Virtual Recovery manager OLU service listens on port 8085 and will need to be stopped.
• The Windows Remote Management Service (WS-Management) service listens on port 80 by default and is installed as part of Windows PowerShell. If this service is installed and running, make sure it is not using the default port. For more information, see Installation and Configuration for Windows Remote Management.