NSX host preparation using vLCM fails when applying a Transport Node Profile (TNP) to a ESXi cluster

Products

• VMware NSX

Issue/Introduction

NSX installation fails when applying a Transport Node Profile (TNP) with the following symptoms:

• NSX Manager UI: Host Transport Nodes show an Install Failed status.

• • Investigating the error further by clicking on "view errors" the following error is received: Failed to install software on host. Solution specification in the image are incompatible with hosts <REDACTED_HOSTNAME>. Host <REDACTED_HOSTNAME> is incompatible with the overall desired image. Please fix desired image issueSolution apply failed on host: <REDACTED_HOSTNAME>

• Error Code 26189: vLCM remediation was skipped or failed for some hosts. List of failed host(s) [[UUID]]. Please check individual transport node status for more details.
• vSphere Client: Under Cluster > Updates > Image, hosts are reported as Incompatible with the overall desired image.

• • Investigating the error further another error related to the image used is observed: Downgrades of Addon Components... in the desired ESXi version are not supported. Add the Components of matching or higher versions to the image.

Environment

VMware NSX

VMware vSphere ESXi

Cause

The vLCM cluster image definition is incomplete because a required Vendor Add-on (matching the physical hardware of the ESXi hosts) has not been selected in the desired state image.
Because NSX Transport Node preparation in vLCM-enabled clusters relies on vLCM to enforce the solution specification, any hardware incompatibility in the base image blocks the remediation process. This prevents the staging and installation of NSX VIBs, leading to the deployment failure.

Resolution

To resolve this issue, the vLCM cluster image must be updated to include the correct vendor-specific components:

1. Modify Cluster Image:

   • Log in to the vSphere Client.
   • Navigate to the affected Cluster > Updates > Image.
   • Click Edit to modify the image configuration.

2. Select Vendor Add-on:

   • In the Vendor Add-on section, select the version that corresponds to your specific server hardware (e.g., HPE, Dell, Lenovo).
   • Click Select and then Save the image configuration.

3. Validate Compliance:

   • Click Check Compliance. The hosts should now transition from Incompatible to Non-Compliant.

4. Remediate Cluster:

   • Click Remediate All to push the updated image (including the NSX solution specification) to the hosts.

5. Verify NSX Status:

   • Once vLCM remediation is complete, return to the NSX Manager UI.
   • Navigate to System > Fabric > Nodes > Host Transport Nodes. Configure NSX.
   • Verify that the configuration state is now Success.

Additional Information

After vLCM remediation of cluster, a host shows NSX Configuration state as Powered Off
Prepare an NSX Cluster with vSphere Lifecycle Manager
NSX installation is failing on the host with an error 'vLCM remediation initiated 
NSX host install fails at 15% vLCM remediation initiated