Error: vCenter Server fails to power on due to inaccessible vSAN datastore after network migration on an ESXi host
Article ID: 447893
Updated On:
Products
Issue/Introduction
Storage availability (vSAN) is lost after migrating the vSan vmkernel to a standard switch from the distributed switch on an ESXi host.
vCenter Server is down and cannot be powered on because vSAN storage is unavailable.
The vmkernel adapter is migrated to a standard switch, but no physical NICs (vmnics) are assigned.
Management and other vmkernel are still working.
The vCenter server resides on the ESXi host which had the vmkernel migrated.
Environment
VMware vSphere ESXi
Cause
The standard switch, where the vSan vmkernel was migrated to, did not have any physical nics (vmnics) attached to it. Storage is now inaccessible on that host, this leads to the vCenter being unable to power on.
Resolution
As vCenter can not power on, a vmnic needs to moved from the DVS to the standard switch to bring the datastore back and then allow vCenter to power back on.
If the DVS has more than one nic, move one of these to the standard switch
1. View Current Configuration
Run these commands in an SSH session on the impacted ESXi host:
- View vSwitch and vmkernel interface mapping:
esxcfg-vswitch -l - List physical adapters and their link state:
esxcli network nic list
2. Remove the Physical NICs (Uplinks) from the DVS
- From step 1 above, the command will display the switch names and port the vmnic you are going to move, as assigned to, use these values in the below command:
esxcfg-vswitch -Q vmnic# -V dvPort_ID_of_vmnic dvSwitch
3. Add the vmnic to the standard switch
As the management is still operational, log into the ESXi host web page and go to Networking > Virtual Switches and select the standard switch and click MANAGE PHYSICAL ADAPTERS.
Move the unclaimed vmnic now to active and click ok.
Additional Information
vCenter network connectivity lost - Recover vCenter network when connected to a Distributed Switch
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