vCenter update initiated via SDDC Manager failed with error: "Installation failed: Failed to start vc-ws1a-broker services. Error: A system error occurred"

Products

• VMware SDDC Manager / VCF Installer

Issue/Introduction

• The vCenter Appliance Management Interface (VAMI) reports the following error: "Installation failed: Failed to start vc-ws1a-broker services. Error: A system error occurred." 
• The installation fails at 80%
• The vCenter UI remains up and accessible despite the upgrade failure.
• Manual restart of the vc-ws1a-broker service will fail.

 

Environment

SDDC 5.2.x

vCenter server 8.x

Cause

The DNS configuration file resolv.conf was completely missing under the /etc/ directory on the vCenter server appliance.

Resolution

1. SSH to the vCenter Server Appliance and manually recreate the resolv.conf file under path /etc/ with the correct DNS server entries.

2. Attempt a manual restart of the failing service using the command: vmon-cli --restart vc-ws1a-broker. 

3. Resume the vCenter update process on the VAMI.