Deploying virtual machines from content library templates fails with error: "Unable to process template"
search cancel

Deploying virtual machines from content library templates fails with error: "Unable to process template"

book

Article ID: 414737

calendar_today

Updated On:

Products

VMware vCenter Server VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

  • In vCenter, you would see errors similar to:

    root@<vcsa_name> [ ~ ]# journalctl -b

    Below logs indicates that a file or directory located at /contentlib-######-###-######-######## inside the DC_Content Library was deleted.

    <vcenter_server_fqdn> vpxd[1555145]: Event [3#######3] [1-1] [20##-07-23T13:19:03.5#####Z] [vim.event.DatastoreFileDeletedEvent] [info] [DOMAINNAME.COM\vpxd-extension-13#####-1#####-4####-a####-0######d#####] [DOMAINNAME-CtrlS] [3######2] [Deletion of file or directory [DC_Content Library] /contentlib-abe#####-1#####-4####-9#####-d########c/2######0-e###-4###-8####-8##########8 from DC_Content Library was initiated from 'cl/1.#.#@1##.0.0.#' and completed with status 'Success']

<vcenter_server_fqdn> vpxd[1555145]: Event [3######5] [1-1] [2##5-07-23T13:48:19.4#####Z] [vim.event.DatastoreFileDeletedEvent] [info] [DOMAINNAME.COM\vpxd-extension-1#####8-1###-4####-a###-0##########b] [DOMAINNAME-CtrlS] [3#######4] [Deletion of file or directory [DC_Content Library] /contentlib-a######-1###-4####-9###-d#########c/1######-9##f-4##6-9###-8##########7 from DC_Content Library was initiated from 'cl/1.0.0@###.0.0.1' and completed with status 'Success']


    The above event indicates that a deletion was initiated via the content library API or client identified as 'cl/#.0.0@###.0.0.#'. Such deletions in content libraries typically imply that the file or directory is permanently removed from the content repository.

  • Error Snippet:

Environment

  • vSphere ESXi 7.x
  • vSphere ESXi 8.x
  • vCenter Server 7.x
  • vCenter Server 8.x

Cause

 

  • The error frequently stems from attempting to recover or use a Content Library item that was previously flagged for deletion.

  • It often points to a "split-brain" scenario or a mismatch between the vCenter database records and the actual files stored on the backing datastore.

  • The system may be trying to reference metadata for a library or item that no longer exists in the current inventory, leading to execution failures.

  • The issue typically indicates a break in the standard CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) cycle, where a manual intervention or failed cleanup left the library in an inconsistent state.

 

 

Resolution

To resolve issues with missing or inconsistent Content Library items in vCenter, we generally have two paths: bringing back the original data or starting fresh to clear database errors.

Option 1: Restore Deleted Templates from Backup

If you have a file-level backup of your datastore or a specialized VM backup solution (like Veeam or Commvault), follow these steps:

  1. Locate the Source Files: Retrieve the .ovf, .vmdk, and .mf files associated with the template from your backup repository.

  2. Upload to Datastore: * Navigate to Storage in the vSphere Client.

    • Select the datastore used by your Content Library.

    • Use the Files tab to create a new folder and upload the recovered files.

  3. Import to Content Library:

    • Go to Menu > Content Libraries.

    • Select your library and click Actions > Import Item.

    • Select Source: Local File and browse to the files you just uploaded to the datastore.

  4. Verify Sync: Ensure the item status shows as "Up to Date" or "Synchronized."

Option 2: Recreate Templates from Scratch

This is often the "cleaner" route if the database is experiencing inconsistencies, as it forces vCenter to generate fresh metadata.

  1. Convert a Gold VM to a Template:

    • Right-click a healthy Virtual Machine that has the desired configuration.

    • Select Template > Convert to Template.

  2. Clone to Content Library:

    • Right-click your new VM Template in the VM and Templates view.

    • Select Clone to Library.

    • Choose New Library Item, select your target Content Library, and click Finish.

  3. Clean up the "Ghost" Item:

    • If the old, broken template still appears in the list, select it and click Delete.

    • If vCenter throws an error during deletion, you may need to restart the Content Library Service via the vCenter Appliance Management Interface (VAMI) at https://<vcenter-ip>:5480.

Additional Information

https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article/373699/restoring-accidentally-deleted-content-l.html 

https://techdocs.broadcom.com/us/en/vmware-cis/vsphere/vsphere/8-0/vsphere-virtual-machine-administration-guide-8-0/using-content-librariesvsphere-vm-admin/manage-content-library-itemsvsphere-vm-admin.html 

Powered by Wolken Software