'mod_watchdog is required' error while starting httpd service

Products

• Network Observability
• VMware Smart Assurance

Issue/Introduction

httpd does not start after fresh installation of NCM 25.x, error found in httpd log:

[Thu Dec 11 01:59:02.492311 2025] [http2:warn] [pid httpdPID] AH10034: The mpm module (prefork.c) is not supported by mod_http2. The mpm determines how things are processed in your server. HTTP/2 has more demands in this regard and the currently selected mpm will just not do. This is an advisory warning. Your server will continue to work, but the HTTP/2 protocol will be inactive.
[Thu Dec 11 01:59:02.492337 2025] [proxy_hcheck:crit] [pid httpdPID] AH03262: mod_watchdog is required
[Thu Dec 11 01:59:02.492339 2025] [:emerg] [pid httpdPID] AH00020: Configuration Failed, exiting

Environment

NCM - 25.4.x

Cause

mod_watchdog module is required for service startup but it was not loading. 

Resolution

1. Navigate to /etc/httpd/modules, ensure that mod_watchdog.so module is available. 
2. Now go to /etc/httpd/conf.modules.d/
3. Open 00-base.conf file, look for mod_watchdog line.
4. Uncomment line containing mod_watchdog.so module
   

   LoadModule watchdog_module modules/mod_watchdog.so

5. Start httpd service, it would work now.