Help for a noob....

[old_vmware_vers]

I really apologize for the noob questions, but I am not making any progress. I inherited a really old ESXi with vSphere 4.0.0. I am looking to get the backups running (I know this isn't the backup section, need some understanding before I get there). From the client software, I have to login to the IP address of the ESXi, using the root account, which seemed odd - it will NOT let me authenticate with Windows credentials. This used to, but something unknown has happened. Anyway, I get this when trying to run a backup:

The Data Recovery appliance is currently connected to the ESX server. Automated backups will not be performed until it is reconnected with vCenter Server.

Ok, I'm connected but it needs to be disconnected? I do not understand this. Can someone point me in the right direction, I'll read whatever is necessary but I simply do not understand what is going on here. I guess the client is not connected properly for some reason.

Thanks in advance.

D

[MBrownWFP]

"Automated backups will not be performed until it is reconnected with vCenter Server."

This indicates your host is disconnected from vCenter. This is likely also the reason that you cannot log in with Windows credentials as Identity Sources for single sign-on are usually defined in vCenter.

vCenter is the central system (either Windows-based or an appliance) that manages the VMware environment. You are connecting to the ESXi host using vSphere Client by the sounds of it, vSphere Client is not vCenter.

Is the original vCenter server instance available?

[old_vmware_vers]

I am not sure how to answer... I'll google how to check if an instance is available, but not sure right now. Now, I can login to the ESX from the console, and my login works there, just not from my management server with the vSphere client. Does that help? Would a service account or something be locked on the ESXi?