VSAN File Services Manual Deployment Not Working

[Dean Emerson]

Hi All,

I am trying to deploy vSAN File Services on a platform that isnt connected to the internet, when I try to manually deploy the agent, I select the files downloaded from the VMware site, and then if I click Next...nothing happens it just hangs.

Is there are way to do this via cli etc? If I place the OVF files in a datastore/content library, or has someone seen this happen elsewhere?

TIA for any help.

[Lalegre]

,

If my memory does not fail me, the vSAN File Services Photo OS VMs, are in .OVF format inside vCenter and it comes there when is installed. From where did you get the agent?

[Dean Emerson]

Hi, I got it from here: https://customerconnect.vmware.com/en/downloads/info/slug/datacenter_cloud_infrastructure/vmware_vsan/7_0#drivers_tools 

From my understanding reading the instructions the vCenter downloads the appliance when it has connectivity to the internet, I am unable to give the vCenter access to the internet.

This article: https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-vSphere/7.0/com.vmware.vsphere.vsan.doc/GUID-CA9CF043-9434-454E-86E7-DCA9AD9B0C09.html 

[Dean Emerson]

When I first try to enable the service I do get an error saying:

Failed to extract the requested data. Check vSphere CLient logs for details.

Then this is where I can choose to upload the files and it hangs.

[anothervsphereu]

[Lalegre]

Okay you learn something new everyday! Read about that just a few minutes ago. So let´s check the vsphere-client log only.

Can you attach this one?: /storage/log/vmware/vsphere-ui/logs/vsphere_client_virgo.log

Maybe you were attaching the whole bundle.

[anothervsphereu]

This is what I get when I select the OVF files and click next.  

 

Note that there are 6 files I am selecting.

 

[Dean Emerson]

Unfortunately due to the nature of this platform I cannot post any logs.

I can report however that after a reboot of the vCenter I managed to deploy the VSAN FS appliances, however, due to an issue on the network I then had to disable VSAN File Services, when I now try to redeploy I get the same hanging error, and a reboot (multiple) doesnt solve the issue.

[Lalegre]

,

The only you did was reboot vCenter and that let you deploy it? It is weird that in random occasions is working just fine. Are you deploying these appliances in Standard Switches or VDS?

[Dean Emerson]

I’ve only managed to get it to deploy once.

vDS I’m deploying to, but I’m all honesty I don’t even get that far.

The Virgo log reports this when I click next:

com.vmware.vsan.client.services.log.LogService                    (rde62-554009012084) [GLOBAL]: "Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'major')","TypeError: Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'major')\n    at Version.compare

[Lalegre]

,

I tried to find anything relevant to that log but had no luck. What version of vCenter are you running?

[Dean Emerson]

vCenter 7.0u3i

[Lalegre]

Got it, I wanted to see if you were running a version compatible with your build. From the Virgo log, you receive that error on the first step?

[Dean Emerson]

So when I select the files to upload and then click next I get that error every time I click next, the files never upload the gui just hangs

[Lalegre]

,

Quick one, have you tried deploying it from the ESXi Host Client?

[Dean Emerson]

No didn’t know this was possible. 

[Dean Emerson]

When the OVF is uploaded successfully, would you know where it is stored?

I found a PowerCLI command https://developer.vmware.com/docs/powercli/latest/vmware.vimautomation.storage/commands/add-vsanfileserviceovf/#Default 

This doesnt work for me because the URL is an issue, however I am thinking if I can manually put the ovf files in the location the vCenter GUI checks against, it should let me progress, I just cannot find anywhere that documents that location.

Thanks

[anothervsphereu]

Try this

 

/storage/updatemgr/vsan/fileService/

[Duncan Epping]

Delete the old OVFs first: https://www.yellow-bricks.com/2022/10/03/cleaning-up-old-vsan-file-services-ovf-files-on-vcenter-server/

[Duncan Epping]

If vSAN FS has already been configured at some point, it is probably best to contact support as they have a clean-up script.

[Dean Emerson]

Would you happen to have details of the script? I’m in a stalemate with support as they won’t progress the ticket without logs, and the nature of this platform I am unable to send them logs. 

[Duncan Epping]

can you send me your email address in a DM?

[Dean Emerson]

Done thanks

[Dean Emerson]

Just an update,

I received an email from support with the following:

Just wanted to confirm that this issue has been resolved in ESXi 7.0 Update 3l build 21424296

PR 3085003: Cannot enable vSAN File Service with uploaded OVF files
You cannot enable vSAN File Service if the vCenter does not have Internet access.

This issue is resolved in this release:
https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-vSphere/7.0/rn/vsphere-esxi-70u3l-release-notes.html#resolvedissues

The vCenter is planned to be upgraded tomorrow. Will update the status then.

[anothervsphereu]

Let me know if it works for you after updating to U3L.   I have been running this vCenter build for a few weeks now, and It still doesnt work for me.

[Duncan Epping]

---

 wrote:

Just an update,

I received an email from support with the following:

Just wanted to confirm that this issue has been resolved in ESXi 7.0 Update 3l build 21424296

PR 3085003: Cannot enable vSAN File Service with uploaded OVF files
You cannot enable vSAN File Service if the vCenter does not have Internet access.

This issue is resolved in this release:
https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-vSphere/7.0/rn/vsphere-esxi-70u3l-release-notes.html#resolvedissues

The vCenter is planned to be upgraded tomorrow. Will update the status then.

---

Hope that resolved the issue

[Dean Emerson]

Unfortunately it didn’t same issue with the update applied.

[RobGoodworth]

known issues, refer to this VMware KB,  "https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/90732?lang=en_US&queryTerm=vSAN%20File%20Service%20manual%20upload"