Unable to join vCenter Server to AD domain. Error: LW_ERROR_PASSWORD_MISMATCH

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

Unable to join vCenter Server to an AD domain, and reported Likewise error indicates a password mismatch.

Environment

VMware vCenter Server

Cause

Issue occurs when an AD domain controller rejects the credentials used to join a computer to the AD domain in question.

Resolution

Kindly test the credentials and domain join permissions used on AD, and get a machine to join the domain without issue. Try the following steps from the vCenter to join the domain.

1. Remove the vCenter Server from the domain :

   /opt/likewise/bin/domainjoin-cli leave

2. We should remove the VC machine account from AD at this point and reboot the vCenter Server

3. Join it back to the domain

   /opt/likewise/bin/domainjoin-cli join domain.com <Domain_Administrator> <Password>

4. Query the domain join status:

   /opt/likewise/bin/domainjoin-cli query

5. Reboot the vCenter Server

Additional Information

In the event that you see permission errors in Likewise logging, other than a credential mismatch, see the linked article here:  https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article/322859/joining-vcenter-server-appliance-or-esxi.html