Attempting to remove a host from the inventory when it is connected to vDS generates an error

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

Summary

This error indicates that you are attempting to remove a host from the inventory that is connect to a vNetwork Distributed Switch (vDS). When the host is connected to a vDS, it cannot be removed from the inventory.

 

Example Errors

 

Cannot remove the host hostname because it's part of vDS switch_name.

or

The resource 'port-id' is in use.

Resolution

Ensure that the host is no longer connected to the vDS, then remove the host.

To ensure that the host is no longer connected to the vDS:

1. Log in to vCenter Server using the vSphere Client.
2. Right-click on the host and select Disconnect.
3. Click Home > Inventory > Networking.
4. Click on the vDS.
5. Click Hosts.
6. Right-click on the host, and click Remove from vDS.
7. Click Home > Inventory > Hosts and Clusters.
8. Right-click the host and select Remove.
9. Re-add the same host back to the inventory.
10. Re-connect the host back to the vDS.

Note: If the host is still connected to a portgroup, such as management, the vmkernel or VM in that portgroup must be migrated to another switch or deleted to allow removal from the vDS.
 

 

Additional Information

For more information, see:
Migrate Virtual Machines (VMs) and VMkernel Adapters from Distributed Switch (vDS) to Standard Switch (vSS) (306406)
Removing a host from a virtual distributed switch in VMware vCenter fails with the error: The resource 'port-id' is in use (2015435)