vCenter Network Reconfiguration Error Invalid configuration for device ## on Static DVPG

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

vCenter Server Appliance (VCSA) experiences a loss of network connectivity and is unable to reconnect its virtual network adapter.

NOTE: This is not specific to the VC appliance and can happen with any VM.

Symptoms:

• The vCenter VM is powered on but inaccessible via the network.

• Attempting to disconnect and then reconnect the VM network adapter from the ESXi Host Client (UI) results in a failure.

  Error: Failed to reconfigure the virtual machine <VCSA_NAME>. Invalid configuration for device 20.

  • NOTE: This device # may change depending on the enviornment.

• This occurs specifically when the vCenter resides on a Distributed Port Group (DVPG) configured with Static Port Binding.

Environment

VMware vCenter Server 8.#
VMware ESXi 8.#

Cause

The virtual machine is attached to a Distributed Port Group using Static Port Binding. Reconfiguration of network adapters (such as disconnecting/reconnecting) for VMs on a Static DVPG via the ESXi host interface is not supported and prevents the port from being re-assigned.

Resolution

To restore connectivity to the vCenter Server Appliance, follow these steps:

1. Log directly into the ESXi Host Client where the vCenter VM is registered.

2. Edit the VM settings and temporarily change the Network Adapter backing from the Distributed Port Group to a Standard Switch Port Group (vSS).

3. Save the settings and verify that the vCenter is now accessible on the network.

4. Log into the vSphere Client (vCenter UI).

5. Locate the vCenter Server VM and migrate its network backing back to the original Distributed Port Group (vDS).

NOTE:

If vCenter is impacted you will have to utilize the procedure defined here to move the VC to a standard switch PG.

Additional Information

vCenter network connectivity lost - Recover vCenter network when connected to a Distributed Switch