VM Connectivity Loss Due to Cisco APIC vCenter Integration Failure

Products

• VMware vCenter Server
• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

• Following a configuration change in Cisco APIC (ACI), a total loss of VM connectivity occurred, impacting critical infrastructure including Domain Controllers and DNS servers.
• While SSH access to vCenter remained functional, the vSphere UI was inaccessible due to the resulting authentication and DNS failures.
• This issue is typically observed when the vCenter integration status within the Cisco APIC shows as "Offline".
  
   

Environment

• VMware vCenter Server

Cause

• The root cause was a credential format conflict between Cisco APIC and vCenter.
• The APIC was configured to authenticate using the Domain\User format, whereas the vCenter expected only the User format for the service account (e.g., vm_aci).
• This prevented the APIC from communicating with vCenter, leading to an "Offline" integration status and a subsequent loss of connectivity for VMs within the impacted EPGs.

Resolution

• Please contact Cisco TAC for support with Cisco ACI VMM integration.
  VMware Support for Partner management integrations through vSphere and NSX-T Public APIs
  
  
  

Additional Information

Cisco VMM configuration