vCenter Server migration fails with management network unavailable error

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

When attempting to migrate a vCenter Server instance to a different cluster within your environment, the migration process fails. The system generates an error stating that the management network cannot be found or is not available on the destination host.

During the migration attempt, the following symptoms are observed:

• The migration wizard prevents progression at the "Select Network" stage.
• The source vCenter is connected to a standard switch, whereas the destination cluster utilizes a Distributed Virtual Switch (DVS).
• Error: Currently connected network interface 'device' uses network 'network', which is not accessible.

Environment

VMware vCenter Server 
VMware vSphere ESXi

Cause

This failure is caused by a network configuration mismatch between the source and destination. Specifically, the destination cluster uses a portgroup on a Distributed Virtual Switch (DVS) with a different name than the standard switch portgroup used at the source. Because the naming conventions and switch types do not match, the migration wizard cannot automatically map the management network.

Resolution

To resolve this issue, you must manually map the network during the migration process:

1. Initiate the Migrate task for the vCenter Server VM.
2. Navigate to the Select Network section of the migration wizard.
3. Click the destination network dropdown menu.
4. Manually select the specific Portgroup on the Distributed Virtual Switch that corresponds to the management VLAN for the destination cluster.
5. Proceed with the remainder of the migration wizard to complete the task.

Additional Information

Troubleshooting the migration compatibility error: Currently connected network interface uses network, which is not accessible