vCenter is in emergency mode after a UCS failure

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

The vCenter server fails to boot after a hardware failure.

In the console, it displays errors such as:

[FAILED] Failed to start File System Check on /dev/vg_root_0/lv_root0

[DEPEND] Dependency failed for /sysroot.

[DEPEND] Dependency failed for Initrd Root File System.

[DEPEND] Dependency failed for Reload Configuration from the Real Root.

Environment

VMware vCenter Server 8.0.x

Cause

The issue occurred due to file system inconsistencies after the host on which the vCenter Server appliance was running had a hardware failure, and the vCenter Server appliance went into an emergency mode.

Resolution

To resolve this issue, scan and correct the file system by running the fsck command:

• Take a snapshot of the vcenter server
• Reboot the vcenter server, and immediately the OS starts, press the "e" key multiple times to enter the grub menu and edit
• Locate the line that starts with "Linux"
• Add " fsck.repair=yes" to the end of the line
• Use F10 to reboot the vcenter server
• Verify that the services are running

Additional Information

Reference KB:

https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article/326323/failed-to-start-file-system-check-on-dev.html