vcf-download-tool fails to download VCF 9.1 binaries after compatibility data is successfully downloaded

Products

• VMware SDDC Manager / VCF Installer

Issue/Introduction

When running vcf-download-tool commands (for example, vcf-download-tool esx download ... or vcf-download-tool binaries download ...), the command fails with ERROR: "Download failed after 3 retries."

The vdt.log file shows a script error approximately two minutes after the process starts:

<YYYY-MM-DD>T<HH:51:##.###+0000> [main] DEBUG [com.vmware.evo.sddc.lcm.depot_auth.CachedAccessTokenService]  Retrieved depot access token: #####*****
<YYYY-MM-DD>T<HH:51:##.###+0000> [main] INFO  [com.vmware.evo.sddc.lcm.tools.bundletransferv2.esx.shim.PythonShim]  Started python process ID #####
<YYYY-MM-DD>T<HH:53:##.###+0000> [main] INFO  [com.vmware.evo.sddc.lcm.tools.bundletransferv2.esx.shim.PythonShim]  Standard output/error of the script execution:
<YYYY-MM-DD>T<HH:53:##.###+0000> [main] INFO  [com.vmware.evo.sddc.lcm.tools.bundletransferv2.esx.shim.PythonShim]  Unlocking python execution lock.
<YYYY-MM-DD>T<HH:53:##.###+0000> [main] WARN  [com.vmware.evo.sddc.lcm.tools.bundletransferv2.esx.shim.PythonShim]  Retrying with refreshed token, attempt 1/3
<YYYY-MM-DD>T<HH:53:##.###+0000> [main] INFO  [com.vmware.evo.sddc.lcm.tools.bundletransferv2.esx.shim.PythonShim]  Started python process ID #####
<YYYY-MM-DD>T<HH:55:##.###+0000> [main] INFO  [com.vmware.evo.sddc.lcm.tools.bundletransferv2.esx.shim.PythonShim]  Standard output/error of the script execution:
<YYYY-MM-DD>T<HH:55:##.###+0000> [main] INFO  [com.vmware.evo.sddc.lcm.tools.bundletransferv2.esx.shim.PythonShim]  Unlocking python execution #####.
<YYYY-MM-DD>T<HH:55:##.###+0000> [main] WARN  [com.vmware.evo.sddc.lcm.tools.bundletransferv2.esx.shim.PythonShim]  Retrying with refreshed token, attempt 2/3
<YYYY-MM-DD>T<HH:55:##.###+0000> [main] INFO  [com.vmware.evo.sddc.lcm.tools.bundletransferv2.esx.shim.PythonShim]  Started python process ID #####
<YYYY-MM-DD>T<HH:57:##.###+0000> [main] INFO  [com.vmware.evo.sddc.lcm.tools.bundletransferv2.esx.shim.PythonShim]  Standard output/error of the script execution:
<YYYY-MM-DD>T<HH:57:##.###+0000> [main] INFO  [com.vmware.evo.sddc.lcm.tools.bundletransferv2.esx.shim.PythonShim]  Unlocking python execution lock.
<YYYY-MM-DD>T<HH:57:##.###+0000> [main] DEBUG [com.vmware.evo.sddc.common.core.i18n.LocalizationTools]  VCF_USE_RESOURCE_BUNDLE_LOCALIZATION='null' -> using VIP-based localization
<YYYY-MM-DD>T<HH:57:##.###+0000> [main] DEBUG [com.vmware.evo.sddc.lcm.tools.bundletransferv2.telemetry.TelemetryFileUtil]  Is CEIP enabled: false
<YYYY-MM-DD>T<HH:57:##.###+0000> [main] ERROR [com.vmware.evo.sddc.lcm.tools.bundletransferv2.exceptionhandler.ExecutionExceptionHandler]  Application failed.
com.vmware.evo.sddc.lcm.tools.bundletransferv2.esx.shim.exception.EsxDownloadServiceException: "Download failed after 3 retries.">

Environment

VCF 9.x

Cause

This issue occurs when Software Depot Registrations > New Registration was configured under an incorrect tenant account where all Version 9+ entitlements/licenses are either missing or expired.

Resolution

To resolve this issue, register the download tool under a valid tenant account with active VCF 9+ licenses:

1. Verify Licensing: Confirm that the target tenant account has valid, non-expired VMware Cloud Foundation 9+ licenses.

2. Generate Activation Code: Follow the official product documentation section Obtain and enter a software depot activation code for VMware Cloud Foundation Download Tool to generate a fresh activation code under the correct tenant. (Software Depot Registrations > New Registration)

3. Retry Download: Re-run the binary download command.