HCX vSphere Plugin Loading Issues

Products

• VMware vCenter Server
• VMware HCX

Issue/Introduction

The VMware HCX plugin in vCenter may experience loading issues where the virtual machine inventory fails to load, displaying a perpetual "Loading data, please wait" message. This can occur after upgrading to newer versions of HCX, particularly affecting vSphere environments with the HCX plugin installed. Users may need to access the HCX Manager directly as a temporary workaround.

Common symptoms include

• Indefinite loading screen in the HCX plugin interface
• VM inventory not displaying
• Plugin becoming unresponsive
• Inconsistent behavior across environments

Environment

• HCX
• vSphere environments with the HCX plugin installed

Cause

Several factors can contribute to these plugin loading issues

• Plugin state inconsistency following HCX upgrades
• vCenter integration or communication disruptions
• Service state synchronization problems between HCX and vCenter
• Version compatibility mismatches between HCX and vCenter components
• Cache or session state issues in the plugin
• Network connectivity or firewall rules affecting plugin-to-service communication

Resolution

Immediate Workaround

1. Access HCX Manager directly through its web interface instead of the vSphere plugin
2. This ensures continued access to HCX functionality while resolving the plugin issues

Long-term Resolution

1. Component Updates
   • Ensure all HCX components are at the latest supported version
   • Verify that vCenter is at a compatible version
   • Check for any pending patches or updates
2. System Maintenance
   • Perform a controlled restart of vCenter services
   • Restart the HCX Manager appliance
   • Clear browser cache and cookies
   • Verify the vCenter to HCX connection using the steps outlined in VMware's documentation: Activate and Configure HCX Connector
   • Allow sufficient time for service synchronization
3. Verification Steps
   • Confirm network connectivity between components
   • Verify all services are running properly
   • Test plugin functionality in different browsers
   • Monitor plugin loading behavior
4. Best Practices
   • Maintain consistent versions across all environments
   • Schedule regular maintenance windows for updates
   • Reboot management appliances regularly

If issues persist after following these steps, contact Broadcom Support for additional assistance. Upload the HCX and vCenter logs if you need to open a case. Be sure to link this article in the case.