Backup configuration error in the upgrade pre-check- "NSX Backup should not be located on SDDC Manager." - VMware Cloud Foundation

Products

• VMware SDDC Manager / VCF Installer

Issue/Introduction

 "NSX backup should not be located on SDDC Manager. Please reconfigure NSX backup to use another location" error as seen in the below snippet:

Environment

VMware Cloud Foundation 5.x

VMware Cloud Foundation 9.x

Cause

VMware Cloud Foundation lifecycle management enforces strict precheck validation rules against backup target locations. Storing NSX-T backups on the SDDC Manager appliance creates a single point of failure (SPOF) during disaster recovery scenarios and causes storage partition and disk I/O contention during lifecycle operations.

 

Resolution

Recommended Resolution: Configure External Backup Server The preferred and supported configuration is to use a dedicated, external SFTP backup server.

1. Log in to the NSX Manager UI as admin.
2. Navigate to System > Backup & Restore.
3. Edit NSX Backup settings and update the SFTP server IP/FQDN to a dedicated, external SFTP backup server (separate from the SDDC Manager appliance).
4. Save the configuration and perform a manual backup test via Backup Now to confirm successful file transfer.
5. Return to the SDDC Manager UI, navigate to the Target Version Precheck report, and click Retry on the failed NSX-T Backup Configuration item.

Important Disclaimer: Users are responsible for the configuration, backup, and restoration of data as required by their environment's security and compliance policies. Ensure the selected external SFTP server is reliable and has sufficient storage capacity.

Alternative: Ignoring the Error (Last Resort) If you do not have an external SFTP server available, you may ignore this pre-check error to proceed with the upgrade.

• Note: This is a last-resort workaround. Ensure that manual backups are completed successfully on the NSX UI before proceeding.
• Risk: Co-locating backups on the SDDC Manager appliance introduces a Single Point of Failure (SPOF) and may lead to performance degradation during lifecycle operations.