Unable to list updates on VAMI while running "Check updates"

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

• 'Updates' settings in VAMI is already updated with a valid token URL
• "Check updates" is not loading any updates
• Following events are observed in /var/log/vmware/applmgmt/applmgmt.log

YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS PM CDT [3230]INFO:vmware.appliance.update.update_info:UpdateInfo: Using product version 7.0.3.02400 and build 24730281
YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS PM CDT [3230]INFO:vmware.appliance.update.update_info:UpdateInfo: Using product version 7.0.3.02400 and build 24730281
YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS PM CDT [3230]DEBUG:vmware.appliance.update.patchFilter:filtering version based on update conf /etc/applmgmt/appliance/update.conf
YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS PM CDT [3230]DEBUG:vmware.appliance.update.patchFilter:Patch Filter info :
YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS PM CDT [3230]DEBUG:vmware.appliance.update.patchFilter:Source version : 7.0.3.02400
YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS PM CDT [3230]DEBUG:vmware.appliance.update.patchFilter:Target version : 8.0.3.00400
YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS PM CDT [3230]DEBUG:vmware.appliance.update.patchFilter:Source Build number : 24730281
YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS PM CDT [3230]DEBUG:vmware.appliance.update.patchFilter:Target Build number : 24322831
YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS PM CDT [3230]DEBUG:vmware.appliance.update.patchFilter:Source Changeset number : 15508020
YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS PM CDT [3230]DEBUG:vmware.appliance.update.patchFilter:Target Changeset number : 14373555
YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS PM CDT [3230]DEBUG:vmware.appliance.update.patchFilter:isB2BEnabled() returned False
YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS PM CDT [3230]DEBUG:vmware.appliance.update.patchFilter:B2B patching not allowed for on-prem major releases
YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS PM CDT [3230]INFO:vmware.appliance.update.update_b2b:The patch version 8.0.3.00400 is not supported on the current base version 7.0.3.02400

Environment

VMware vCenter Server 7.x

VMware vCenter Server 8.x

Cause

VMWARE_B2B flag is unset due to which the major updates are not listed.

Resolution

Follow the below steps:

Important: Take a snapshot of the vCenter before making any change. If multiple vCenters are in linked mode (ELM), it is recommended to save offline snapshots. Refer to Snapshot Best practices for vCenter Server Virtual Machines

1. SSH into the vCenter Server Appliance (VCSA)

   • Use an SSH client (like PuTTY or terminal) to connect to your vCenter.

   • Login as root.

2. Create and edit the file:

   • Use vi or any text editor available: vi /etc/vmware/vsphereFeatures/b2b_fss_override.json

3. Add the following content exactly as shown: {"VMWARE_B2B": true} 

   • In vi editor, press i to enter insert mode, paste the content

   • Press Esc, Type :wq! and hit Enter to save and exit.

4. Verify the file content (optional): cat /etc/vmware/vsphereFeatures/b2b_fss_override.json 

   • Output should be: {"VMWARE_B2B": true}

5. On the VAMI > Updates, Check if the updates are available. If still updates are not visible, restart applmgmt service 
   
   service-control --restart applmgmt

6. Now the updates should be visible under VAMI.