ESXi Host showing name as "[HOSTNAME][IP]" after host upgrade.

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

• Host in vCenter inventory shows as "[HOSTNAME][IP]" rather than just [HOSTNAME]
• Disconnecting/Reconnecting Host does not change it back.

Environment

• vCenter Server 8.0U3
• ESXi 8.0U3

Cause

• This anomaly typically occurs due to a DNS resolution delay or a vCenter inventory synchronization conflict during the automatic reconnection phase of the ESXi upgrade process. When vCenter briefly loses connection and reconnects, it queries the host's vpxa service and the configured DNS server. If a mismatch, timeout, or duplicate entry is detected, vCenter may append the IP address to the hostname to ensure the database inventory object remains unique.

Resolution

• Use the following KB to confirm DNS resolution issue and update VCSA hosts file as needed.
• Modifying host entry in /etc/hosts file for vCenter or ESXi host using vi editor