ESX cluster cannot be converted to image-based management due to orphaned vib

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

When trying to convert an ESX cluster in vCenter's GUI (vSphere Client) from baseline-management to image-based management, an error is thrown mentioning an orphaned vib.

The error message is triggered by:

   1) Clicking the cluster object in vCenter inventory.

   2) Clicking the Updates tab.

   3) Clicking Image

   4) After configuring the image parameters, click Proceed with Image. An error is thrown, noting that there is an oprhaned vib on some (if not all) of the hosts in cluster, and that the conversion cannot proceed.

Environment

vCenter 8.x

ESXi 8.x

Resolution

The vib must be removed from hosts, or added to the image parameters.

A) Remove the orphaned vib from all hosts using SSH and esxcli software vib remove <vibName>

B) Add the oprhaned vib to the vendor addon or components section by importing the zip file of the vib.

Additional Information

For steps regarding importing the vib into the vlcm image, refer to the resolution steps from VIB/Plugin removed from ESXi host after patching using vLCM single images.