Reconnect host in vCenter UI fails.

Products

• VMware vCenter Server 7.0
• VMware vSphere ESXi 7.0

Issue/Introduction

On attempting to re-connect a disconnected host in the vCenter, it would fail with the below error message:

Operation failed!
Task name: Reconnect host
Status: A general system error occurred: pam_passwdqc: Error parsing parameter "Retry=3":Invalid

Environment

VMware vCenter Server 7.0
VMware vSphere ESXi 7.0

Cause

An incorrect value is present in the Security.PasswordQualityControl field under the Advanced System Settings for the affected host. 

Resolution

Steps to verify and correct the values:

Select the host in the vCenter UI -> Configure -> Advanced System Settings -> Filter the 'Key' field using Security.PasswordQualityControl

1. Remove the incorrect entry from the Security.PasswordQualityControl field in the Advance System Settings from the vCenter:
   
   The default value is: retry=3 min=disabled,disabled,disabled,7,7
   
   
   In the example error message, the "retry=3" was set as "Retry=3" causing the issue.  Changing it to default fixes the issue.
   
   
2. Retry connecting the host to vCenter
   
   
3. The host will be re-connected successfully.

Additional Information

Reference Article:
ESXi Passwords and Account Lockout