Network Extension removal or Service Mesh operations timeout in POST_CONFIG_VIX state due to decommissioned ESXi hosts - VMware HCX

Products

• VMware HCX

Issue/Introduction

This article addresses a specific failure in VMware HCX where management operations, such as un-extending networks or redeploying the Interconnect Service Mesh, hang or fail during the configuration phase. This occurs due to stale ESXi host entries within the vCenter inventory affecting VIX and Guest Operations.

•  Network Extension un-extension or Service Mesh redeployment tasks fail.

•  HCX Manager UI displays the full error:

  Rollback Interconnect Service Workflow GenerateAndPostConfig failed. Error: Operation timedout in state POST_CONFIG_VIX

•  Users may also see Interconnect Service Workflow GenerateAndPostConfig failed in the task console.

• HCX Manager app.log reports timeouts during GenerateAndPostConfiguration workflows.

   

Environment

VMware HCX 4.x

VMware vSphere 7.x/8.x

Cause

This issue occurs when the vCenter inventory contains ESXi hosts that are in a Disconnected, Not Responding, or Decommissioned state.

HCX workflows—specifically the POST_CONFIG_VIX state—rely on VMware VIX/Guest Operations to push configurations to the appliances. If vCenter attempts to communicate through or manage resources associated with an unreachable host, the management task will hang and eventually time out, causing the HCX workflow to fail.

Resolution

To resolve this issue, clean the vCenter inventory of unresponsive resources:

1. Identify unreachable hosts in the vSphere Client within the clusters associated with the HCX Compute Profile.
2. Remove decommissioned hosts by right-clicking the host and selecting Remove from Inventory.
3. Resolve connectivity for any host in a Not Responding state or place it in Maintenance Mode.
4. Retry the HCX operation from the Interconnect interface.
5. If the workflow remains stuck, use the Force Unextend option. See [Uninstalling VMware HCX].

Additional Information

• HCX Service Mesh deployment failure with POST_CONFIG_VIX
• VMware Ports and Protocols for HCX
• Troubleshooting ESXi Resident HCX Workflows