Error: Password Policy Requirement During vSAN Witness Appliance Deployment

[senndoh]

1. So, we are deploying new vSAN witness appliance to replace older version.
2. The version we are deploying is U3l, taken from download page, supposedly the latest appliance version.
3. Deployed the OVA successfully, with IP and password and everything according to the earlier appliance setup. Keep the network disconnected and VM powered off.
4. Upon boot up the VM, greeted with PSOD with following error. The link provided seems to be dead link and not helpful.
   
5. We have tried to supplied different password during deployment, also didnt work. 
6. Any ideas on what is it actually happening? Resolution?

[TheBobkin]

Hi @senndoh,

Looks like that hasn't been updated to reference techdocs.broadcom.com pages from docs.vmware.com after the move - I will try and see who owns this when back at work next week and see what the story is.

This *should* be the relevant page, you may also be able to confirm that using the URL listed in the screenshot in archive.org - please validate your used passwords versus the required criteria https://techdocs.broadcom.com/us/en/vmware-cis/vsphere/vsphere/7-0/vsphere-security-7-0/securing-esxi-hosts/general-security-recommendations/esxi-passwords-and-lockout.html

[TheBobkin]

Also, just FYI, you don't need to replace old version Witnesses with new one, you can update/upgrade it like any other ESXi host with the only difference being that you should use stock/vanilla VMware-provided image (NOT vendor custom ISO).