Sync updates task fails in vLCM with error "Download patch definitions task failed while syncing depots. Error: integrity.fault.MetadataDownloadFailure"

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

• Sync updates task fails on vCenter Server with the following error:
  

  A general system error occurred: Download patch definitions task failed while syncing depots. Error: 'integrity.fault.MetadataDownloadFailure: Cannot download patch definitions.'.

• In /var/log/vmware/vmware-updatemgr/vum-server/vmware-vum-server.log file, there are entries similar to:

  error vmware-vum-server[10591] [Originator@6876 sub=VciSigUpdateTask.SigUpdateTask{89}] [vciSigUpdateTask 559] \n\nError downloading third party patches from :https://dl.broadcom.com/<Download Token>/PROD/COMP/ESX_HOST/addon-main/vmw-depot-index.xml: Error: Bulletin: <component_name> with same name but different set of vibs already exists inside VUM. Re-importing in this scenario is not supported.

Environment

VMware vCenter Server 8.x

VMware vCenter Server 9.x

Cause

The issue is caused due to conflict between the component in the Update Manager database and the one in the software depot.

Resolution

Note: Ensure to take a snapshot of the vCenter Server Virtual Machine. If the vCenter Server is a part of Enhanced Linked Mode configuration, refer Snapshot Best practices for vCenter Server Virtual Machines

Delete the conflicting component from the vci_updates table by following the steps below:

1. SSH to the vCenter Server as root. Enter shell.
   
   
2. Stop the update manager service:
   service-control --stop updatemgr


3. Change to 'updatemgr' user:
   su updatemgr -s /bin/bash


4. Run psql command to validate the component in the vci_updates table:
   psql -U vumuser -d VCDB -c "select * from vci_updates where meta_uid = <component_name>;"

   Note: <component_name> should be replaced with the component mentioned in vmware-vum-server.log. Example: psql -U vumuser -d VCDB -c "select * from vci_updates where meta_uid = hpessacli-component_5.10.45.1-7.0.0;"
   Note: The psql command will show below. 'Permission denied' message is not relevant and can be ignored.
   
   
5. Delete the component:
   psql -U vumuser -d VCDB -c "delete from vci_updates where meta_uid = <component_name>;"


6. Logout as updatemgr user:
   exit


7. Restart the update manager service:
   service-control --start updatemgr


8. Retry "Sync Updates" on the vCenter Server.