vpxd crashes after reverting vCenter Server from 8.0U3 to 8.0U2

Products

• VMware vCenter Server
• VMware vCenter Server 8.0

Issue/Introduction

• After reverting vCenter Server from 8.0U3 to 8.0U2 or an earlier version, vSphere Client is not displayed properly.
• vpxd crashes after powering on vCenter Server 8.0U2 or an earlier version.

Environment

vCenter Server 8.x

Cause

When vCenter Server is reverted from 8.0U3 to 8.0U2 without removing the Embedded vCLS (introduced in 8.0U3), the 8.0U2 or an earlier version cannot manage it, which causes vpxd to crash.

Resolution

Workaround

• If there are two vCenter Server Appliances:
  
  1. Shut down the vCenter Server Appliance 8.0U2 or an earlier version.
  2. Power on vCenter Server Appliance 8.0U3.
  3. Disable vCLS on a cluster via retreat mode as described in KB 316514.
  4. Shut down the vCenter Server Appliance 8.0U3.
  5. Power on vCenter Server Appliance 8.0U2 or an earlier version.
     
     
• If there is only one vCenter Server Appliance:
  1. Execute steps mentioned in Resolution section of KB 370286.

Additional Information

Manually Destroy Embedded vCLS on an 8.0 U3 ESXi Host