Enabling EVC on a Nutanix Cluster fails with error "The host cannot be admitted to the cluster's current Enhanced vMotion Compatibility mode. Powered-on or suspended virtual machines on the host may be using CPU features hidden by that mode."

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

• In the vSphere Client, enabling EVC for a Nutanix Cluster fails with error  "The host cannot be admitted to the cluster's current Enhanced vMotion Compatibility mode. Powered-on or suspended virtual machines on the host may be using CPU features hidden by that mode."

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi 8.x

VMware vCenter Server 8.x

Cause

• In a Nutanix Cluster, every ESXi host has a CVM (Controller Virtual Machines) affined to it. The cluster requires a minimum number of active CVMs to maintain storage operations and data consistency.
• As all the CVMs cannot be powered off simultaneously, EVC cannot be enabled on the cluster.

Resolution

• To resolve this issue, create a new cluster with desired EVC mode enabled. Put the ESXi hosts in maintenance mode one at a time and add them to the new cluster.
• For detailed steps, please refer the Nutanix article: Unable to Set Enhanced vMotion Capability (EVC) on a new or existing Cluster