vmware-rhttpproxy service fails to start during vCenter FQDN change

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

• Changing vCenter FQDN in the VAMI (https://<current_vCenter_FQDN_or_IP>:5480) failed with below error:

some services failed to start


• The /var/log/vmware/applmgmt/pnid_change.log shows the rhttpproxy service failed to start:
  
  [YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS] pnid_utils-restart_services():#### - ERROR - Error executing start on service rhttpproxy. Details {
    "detail": [
        {
            "id": "install.ciscommon.service.failstart",
            "translatable": "An error occurred while starting service '%(0)s'",
            "args": [
                "rhttpproxy"
            ],
            "localized": "An error occurred while starting service 'rhttpproxy'"
        }
    ],
    "componentKey": null,
    "problemId": null,
    "resolution": null
}
Service-control failed. Error: {
    "detail": [
        {
            "id": "install.ciscommon.service.failstart",
            "translatable": "An error occurred while starting service '%(0)s'",
            "args": [
                "rhttpproxy"
            ],
            "localized": "An error occurred while starting service 'rhttpproxy'"
        }
    ],
    "componentKey": null,
    "problemId": null,
    "resolution": null
}


• In /var/log/vmware/rhttpproxy/rhttpproxy.log, the following error is recorded:
  
  [YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS] warning rhttpproxy[#####] [Originator@6876 sub=I0.Connection] Skip non-loopback interface address; <resolver p:0x########, 'localhost:549', next:(null)>, address: '<vCenter_IP>'
[YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS] error rhttpproxy[#####] [Originator@6876 sub=Default] Application error: Cannot assign requested address
  
  

Environment

VMware vCenter Server 7.x

Cause

The issue occurs if the /etc/hosts file contains an incorrect entry.

For example:
  
# less /etc/hosts
<vCenter_IP> localhost    ---->This entry should not exist
# Generated by Studio VAMI service. Do not modify manually.
127.0.0.1  vcenter.sample.com vcenter localhost
::1  vcenter.sample.com vcenter localhost ipv6-localhost ipv6-loopback
# VAMI_EDIT_END

Resolution

Note: A valid backup or snapshot of the vCenter must be available before performing any changes.

1. Connect to the vCenter through SSH.
2. Navigate to the /etc/ directory:
   
   # cd /etc/


3. Create a backup of the hosts file:
   
   # cp hosts hosts.bk


4. Edit the hosts file
   • # vi hosts
   • Type i to enter insert mode.
   • Delete the incorrect entry.    -----> <vCenter_IP> localhost in the example
   • Press ESC to exit insert mode.
   • Type :wq! and press Enter to save and exit.
5. Start vCenter services using the command below:
   
   # service-control --start --all