vCenter Server Backups Fails With Error "General System Error reported by the Backup server"

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

When running VAMI backups of vCenter Server you receive the error "General System Error reported by the Backup server."

 

Environment

vCenter Server

Cause

A firewall block between the vCenter and the backup target exists. 

To validate this as the case, run the command curl -v telnet://<backup_target>:### 

• Note change the port number to the appropriate port for the data transfer medium being used. For example, SMB would be 445. 
  • Common ports for protocols used in VAMI based backups

Resolution

Contact your firewall administrator to unblock the required ports for traffic between your vCenter and Firewall.