While performing a vMotion migration, the following error message is encountered: Error message from <host>: vMotion migration [###############] failed to read stream keepalive: Connection closed by remote host, possibly due to timeout.

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

vMotion intermittently fails with the error message: 'Error message  from <host>: vMotion migration [###############] failed to read stream keepalive. The connection was closed by the remote host, possibly due to a timeout.'"

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi
VMware vCenter Server

Cause

 

IP Duplication Issues:

• • If the vMotion VMkernel IP address is used elsewhere on the network or another VMkernel adapter, it may cause an IP duplication issue, leading to intermittent or one-way ping drops.

 

 

Resolution

Check for IP Duplication:

• • Check that the vMotion VMkernel IP address is not configured elsewhere, such as on another host's VMkernel adapter or another network device.

    • Run ping tests between vMotion VMkernel adapters to identify if any IP duplication is occurring.

    • If you find that the IP address is being used elsewhere, change the IP address of the conflicting device and re-test the vMotion process.

Additional Information

 

In a multi-NIC vMotion configuration, all NICs should be properly configured and not misconfigured in any way, as this can cause intermittent connectivity issues.