Unknown objects in vSAN Virtual Objects view

Products

• VMware vSAN

Issue/Introduction

In Virtual Objects view under Cluster --> Monitor, there are VMs where the name shows as "Unknown" with a VM ID after the name.

 

 

Checking these object UUIDS on an SSH session on the ESXi host, it can be seen that these objects relate to vCLS VMs.

- vCLS VMs are used to manage vSphere HA and DRS.

- More details about vCLS and how it works can be found in vSphere Cluster Services (vCLS) in vSphere 7.0 Update 1 and newer versions.

 

On an SSH session on an ESXi host, change directory to the vSAN datastore, and run this command to see the list of vCLS VMs, and the UUIDs of their namespaces:

cd /vmfs/volumes/vsanDatastore

ls -l | grep -i vcls

 

Confirm that these UUIDs match the UUIDs for the VM folders for the unknown objects.

 

Environment

VMware vSAN 8.x

Cause

vCLS VMs should not show as Unknown in the vSAN object view

It is likely there was a previous problem in the environment, and vCLS VMs were not cleanly shut down, or retreat mode was not used during a cluster shutdown resulting in these vCLS VMs becoming unmoored.

Resolution

At a time when it is safe to do so, disable vCLS on the cluster via Retreat Mode.

- Note: vSphere DRS will not function while vCLS is in Retreat Mode.

- Retreat Mode KB: Disable vCLS on a Cluster via Retreat Mode

 

Cluster --> Configure --> vSphere Cluster Services --> General --> EDIT VCLS MODE

Enable Retreat Mode.

 

When Retreat Mode is enabled, check if the Unknown objects have disappeared from the Virtual Objects view, and if the vCLS VMs are still visible in the vSAN datastore from the command line.

- The vCLS VMs should be completely removed, if all is healthy.

- If you still see a vCLS VM, delete it.

Note: Proceed with caution. If unsure of how to proceed, or if unable to delete a vCLS VM in this state, please open a case with Broadcom Support.

 

When these VMs have been cleaned up, re-enable vCLS.

 

Cluster --> Configure --> vSphere Cluster Services --> General --> EDIT VCLS MODE

Enable System Managed.

 

Confirm that the vCLS VM(s) are visible in Virtual Objects view, and do not show as Unknown.