VMware Site Recovery Manager (SRM) Appliance Upgrade Fails with "Failed to install update: Key has expired" Error

Products

• VMware Live Recovery

Issue/Introduction

VMware Site Recovery Manager (SRM) appliance upgrade or patching process fails with the following error:

Operation Failed
Failed to install update: Key has expired.
Operation ID: ########-####-####-####-###########

This error is suggesting the problem is specific to the SRM update mechanism. The error message may be misleading, as it points to an incorrect update package rather than an actual licensing key expiration.

Environment

• VMware Site Recovery Manager appliance (SRM)
• VMware vSphere Replication Appliance (VRMS)

Cause

The primary cause of this failure is the attachment of an incorrect update ISO image to the SRM appliance. Specifically, the vSphere Replication (VR) appliance update ISO was inadvertently mounted instead of the correct VMware Site Recovery Manager (SRM) appliance update ISO.

When the vSphere Replication (VR) ISO is presented, its internal manifest and package structure do not match the expected format for an SRM update. This mismatch causes the validation process to fail, leading to the generic "Key has expired" error, which in this context signifies a package validation failure rather than a true licensing key expiration.

Resolution

To resolve this issue, ensure the correct SRM appliance update ISO is used:

1. Download the Correct ISO: Obtain the precise VMware Site Recovery Manager (SRM) appliance update ISO file corresponding to your desired target version from the official Broadcom Support portal. Ensure it is explicitly for SRM (Live Recovery) and not vSphere Replication.
2. Upload to Datastore: Upload the downloaded SRM update ISO file to a vSphere datastore that is accessible by your SRM virtual machine.
3. Attach ISO:
   • Access the SRM virtual machine settings in vCenter.
   • If any ISO is currently mounted to the SRM appliance (e.g., the incorrect VR ISO), first detach it.
   • Attach the newly uploaded, correct SRM update ISO to the SRM virtual machine's CD/DVD drive.
4. Re-initiate Upgrade:
   • Access the SRM appliance VAMI interface by navigating to https://<SRM_Appliance_IP>:5480 in your web browser.
   • Log in and navigate to the 'Update' section.
   • Re-initiate the upgrade process. The appliance should now correctly identify and process the update package.

Additional Information

• Refer to the official Broadcom documentation for specific upgrade paths and release notes for your SRM version.
• Ensure sufficient disk space on the SRM appliance before attempting an upgrade.