SDDC Manager Backup Fails with Error: Directory /etc/alternatives/jre/lib/security does not exist

Products

• VMware SDDC Manager

Issue/Introduction

SDDC Manager Backup Fails with Error:

Directory /etc/alternatives/jre/lib/security does not exist

Environment

VMware Cloud Foundation 5.x

Cause

• When initiating a backup from the SDDC Manager UI, the operation fails and the following error is observed:

1. manifest.json validation failed, please check the format and try again  
2. Directory /etc/alternatives/jre/lib/security does not exist

• Take SSH to SDDC Manager and confirm if the directory exists.

• Additionally, the SOS log may include trace messages similar to the following:

ERROR [vcf_sos] [backuphelper.py::validate_manifest_json] Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "backup/backuphelper.py", line 101, in validate_manifest_json
Exception: Directory /etc/alternatives/jre/lib/security does not exist

Resolution

To resolve the issue, ensure that a valid symbolic link to a supported OpenJDK version is created under /etc/alternatives/jre.

Steps:

• Take Snapshot of SDDC VM.
• Check for available Java installations, for example under /usr/lib/jvm/. Ensure a supported version (e.g., OpenJDK 17) is installed.
• Create the jre symlink under /etc/alternatives using the following command:

ln -s /usr/lib/jvm/openjdk-java17-headless.x86_64 /etc/alternatives/jre

(Note: Adjust the path to match the installed OpenJDK version on your system.)

• Retry the Backup:

Initiate the backup operation again via the SDDC Manager UI. The process should now complete successfully.

Additional Information

NA