Migrating VMK0 from standard switch to distributed switch or vice versa fails with error message: An error occurred while communicating with the remote host. Network configuration change disconnected the host from vCenter server and has been rolled back.

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

When attempting to migrate VMK0 from a Standard Switch to a Distributed Switch or vice versa, you must ensure that the new port group has the appropriate VLAN configuration based on the physical uplink interface. Please see the following documentation here:

Migrate vmkernel adapters to a vSphere distributed switch

Environment

VMware vCenter Server
vSphere ESXi

Cause

The configuration of the physical and virtual networks must align when it comes to VLANs. There are several different options and they must ultimately result in the ability for traffic to traverse between both segments successfully. 

Resolution

Confirm that your configuration on your virtual port groups aligns with what is configured on your physical interfaces. 

Additional Information

• The network adapter vmk0 is the only protected vmkernel interface. If the system detects that the change being made to vmk0 will cause a network disconnection, it will fail to make the change and roll back to the previously working configuration.
• Refer to the following KBs for further information on configuring and troubleshooting networking issues involving VLANs and portgroups.
  
  • Troubleshooting network connectivity with Virtual Switch Tagging (VST) / External Switch Tagging (EST) mode on an ESX/ESXi host
  • Configuring Virtual Switch VLAN Tagging (VST) mode on a vNetwork Distributed Switch