vCenter UpdateManager Service Fails to Start Due to Full /storage/updatemgr Directory

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

The vmware-updatemgr service fails to start, preventing the import of patches or ISOs in vCenter. As a result, updates and patching cannot be applied.

When checked on the VAMI page under storage, it shows a critical alert filesystem alert indicating that the Update Manager has run out of space. It is recommended to increase the size of the disk for /storage/updatemgr

Environment

vCenter Server 8.0

Cause

• The vmware-updatemgr service is unable to start because the /storage/updatemgr directory is completely full.
• If VAMI backups are configured to use /storage/updatemgr as the storage location, it can cause the directory to fill up with backup data.

 

 

Resolution

• Change VAMI Backup Location:
  • Reconfigure the VAMI (vCenter Server Appliance Management Interface) backup to use an external storage location, not /storage/updatemgr. This will prevent future backups from filling up the directory.
• Clear Old Files:
  • Manually clean up the /storage/updatemgr directory by deleting unnecessary or outdated files to free up space. This will allow the vmware-updatemgr service to start.
• Restart the vmware-updatemgr Service:
  • service-control --restart vmware-updatemgr

This should resolve the issue and allow the service to start successfully.