Error: Host profile customization window is blank when removing iDRAC vSwitch

Products

• VMware vCenter Server
• VMware Telco Cloud Platform

Issue/Introduction

When editing post profiles in VMware vCenter Server to remove a specific component, such as an iDRAC vSwitch, the Host Customization window may appear blank. This issue typically occurs on a subset of hosts within a cluster.

Symptoms:

1. 1. Host Customization window is empty or blank when accessed via the vSphere Client.
      
      
   2. Re-enabling the removed component in the profile restores the customization data visibility.
      
      
   3. Validation failures occur in the 'moHostProfileMgr' component during the 'RetrieveAnswerFile' task.
      
      
      1. The vSwitchiDRACvusb setting has been unchecked from the host profile.
         
         
         
         
      2. The host profile customization window is displaying as blank.
         
         

Environment

vCenter: 7.0U3x

Telco cloud platform: 5.0

Cause

The host profile engine fails to reconcile the updated profile schema with stale configuration entries in the host's existing answer file or active hardware state. The XML validation fails during profile retrieval because the answer file still references a vSwitch no longer defined in the profile.

 

Resolution

To align the host state with the updated profile, follow these steps:

1. Right-click the affected ESXi host and navigate to Host Profiles > Reset Customizations.
   
   Note: The step above will remove all existing host profile configurations. If you need to retain these settings, please export the host profile before proceeding.
   
   
2. Connect to the ESXi CLI and run esxcfg-vswitch -l to verify no partial remains of the removed vSwitch (vmkernel ports or uplinks) are active.
   
   
3. Right-click the host and select Host Profiles > Edit Host Customizations to re-enter data.

Additional Information

Host Profile Customization Window Is Blank