Aria Automation 8.x License update fails due to expired Root password

Products

• VCF Operations/Automation (formerly VMware Aria Suite)

Issue/Introduction

When attempting to apply a new license or renew an existing license for a VMware Aria Automation environment through VMware Aria Suite Lifecycle, the operation fails.

Environment

Aria Automation 8.x

Aria Suite Lifecycle 8.x

Cause

The root user password on the VMware Aria Automation appliance(s) has expired. Aria Suite Lifecycle cannot authenticate and retrieve or apply license information from Aria Automation because its stored credentials for the root user are no longer valid.

Resolution

There are two methods to resolve this issue:

Note: Make sure to have a snapshot of the Aria Automation before following the recommendation.

Method 1: (Recommended) Reset Root Password and Update in Aria Suite Lifecycle Locker
This method is preferred as it maintains Aria Suite Lifecycle's full management capabilities.

1. Reset Root Password:

   • Log in to the Aria Automation appliance(s) (via SSH or console).
   • If the root password has expired and you cannot log in, refer to VMware documentation for resetting the root password via the appliance console (e.g., using GRUB menu).
   • Once logged in, use the passwd command to set a new password for the root user.

2. Update Password in Aria Suite Lifecycle Locker:

3. Retry License Operation:

   • From Aria Suite Lifecycle, attempt the "Add License" Day-2 action for your Aria Automation environment again. The operation should now succeed.
   • 

Method 2: Directly Apply/Remove License using the command line.
This method bypasses Aria Suite Lifecycle for the license application, requiring a subsequent inventory synchronization.

1. Apply New License:

   • SSH to an Aria Automation appliance (e.g., the primary node).
   • Execute the command to add the new license key:
     vracli license add <YOUR-NEW-LICENSE-KEY>
     Replace <YOUR-NEW-LICENSE-KEY> with your actual new license key.

2. Remove Old/Expired License:

   • If an old or expired license is present and needs removal, identify its key (e.g., using vracli license).
   • Then, execute the command to remove it:
     vracli license remove <OLD-OR-EXPIRED-LICENSE-KEY>
   • Replace <OLD-OR-EXPIRED-LICENSE-KEY> with your actual old/expired license key.

3. Trigger Inventory Synchronization:

   • After applying the license directly, navigate to Aria Suite Lifecycle Manager.
   • For the specific Aria Automation environment, trigger an inventory synchronization. This ensures Aria Suite Lifecycle updates its records with the newly applied license information. The new license should then reflect correctly.