Problem deploying vCenter appliance to ESXi

[James169]

I'm a newbie on VMWare, and I just installed a free version EXSi.

And I'd like to try other products from VMWare, so I have downloaded the vCenter appliance VMware-VCSA-all-6.5.0-5973321.iso, and follow some Youtube video to deploy the appliance to the EXSi server.

However, it cause timeout when Installing RPM (i.e. stopped at 80%) every time.

And I found that, it takes two hours keep retry the following during the installer log:

2017-10-04T17:16:13.028Z - debug: initiateFileTransferFromGuest error: ServerFaultCode: Current license or ESXi version prohibits execution of the requested operation.

2017-10-04T17:16:13.032Z - debug: Failed to get fileTransferInfo:ServerFaultCode: Current license or ESXi version prohibits execution of the requested operation.

2017-10-04T17:16:13.032Z - debug: Failed to get url of file in guest vm:ServerFaultCode: Current license or ESXi version prohibits execution of the requested operation.

2017-10-04T17:16:13.032Z - debug: [1]pollRpmInstallProgress:getGuestFileErr:ServerFaultCode: Current license or ESXi version prohibits execution of the requested operation.

2017-10-04T17:16:14.941Z - debug: Updated current session with lstActTm Thu Oct 05 2017 01:15:50 GMT+0800 (China Standard Time)

:

:

:

:

2017-10-04T19:16:05.623Z - debug: initiateFileTransferFromGuest error: ServerFaultCode: Current license or ESXi version prohibits execution of the requested operation.

2017-10-04T19:16:05.626Z - debug: Failed to get fileTransferInfo:ServerFaultCode: Current license or ESXi version prohibits execution of the requested operation.

2017-10-04T19:16:05.626Z - debug: Failed to get url of file in guest vm:ServerFaultCode: Current license or ESXi version prohibits execution of the requested operation.

2017-10-04T19:16:05.626Z - debug: [720]pollRpmInstallProgress:getGuestFileErr:ServerFaultCode: Current license or ESXi version prohibits execution of the requested operation.

2017-10-04T19:16:14.943Z - debug: Updated current session with lstActTm Thu Oct 05 2017 03:15:50 GMT+0800 (China Standard Time)

2017-10-04T19:16:15.615Z - error: pollRpmInstallProgress reached timeout before completed: loopCount=721, installProgress=null

2017-10-04T19:16:15.616Z - info: Cancelling the ping timer for session mgmt

Does it mean that vCenter cannot be deployed to ESXi even for trial?

What should be installed if it want to have a look on the vCenter Server?

[daphnissov]

Yes, it means what it says. You have to be using a licensed (or trial of a non-free version) version of ESXi to deploy vCenter.

[James169]

I have already enter the license key of my ESXi, and it shows that

Expiration date:   Never

Features:             Up to 8-way virtual SMP

So, does it mean that I cannot deploy vCenter Server to ESXi?

[TomHowarth]

vCenter cannot be deployed to a ESXi host that is using the Free ESXi license, you will need a licensed version or a Evaluation version of ESXi to deploy it.

[James169]

I'm sorry that I can catch what it mean " you will need a licensed version or a Evaluation version of ESXi to deploy it."

I have already using a Evaluation version of ESXI with license key entered, and it already show the license key here, which is never expire, and  up to 8-way virtual SMP.

But it still prompt for the license issue. 

What is a licensed version ESXi mean?  Is my ESXi licensed?

[James169]

I just try to create the VM from the OVA file, everything works fine.  It seems to be the problem in the installer only.

However, after installation, I cannot login to vSphere Web Client, the following error is returned after login with root account:

May I know if I have missed any step here?  I can't see any option to enable the web client during the installation.

[TomHowarth]

by a full license I mean one that is paid for, not the Free ESXI license.

[James169]

It should work with a 60 days trial for ESXi.

I have installed by creating the VM from OVA (instead of using the installer), it works fine.  The "Installing RPM..." issue seems related to the installer only.

And the login issue has been solved also, it will cause the above error if login with root.

But if I login with Administrator, it can use the vSphere Web Client now, and the License will be expires on 12/4/2017 (59 days left).

[ToniCapablo]

Recently I deployed a lab environment and I used trial license for ESXi and vCSA and worked OK.

So, my recomendation is try to download ESXi and vCSA software from VMware downloads website and get license trial for two components.

Regards,

[Raj1988]

Well from VCSA 6.5 onwards you cannot deploy VCSA on ESXi Free Hypervisor .

VMware Knowledge Base

With regards to the error with permissions when logged in via root ; root user for vcsa does not have rights by default to the web-client. Login to the Web-client with the SSO creds (administrator@vsphere.local -default) and then you can allow root(vcsa) permissions for login to web-client.

Regards,

AJ

[fenster67]

it does work in eval mode.  If you are in the 60 day eval period deploying vcenter will be successful.

[mperu99]

I have a standard version (licensed) and still cannot deploy VSCA 6.5  , i still get the hung at 80% then fails on RPM timeout

[mperu99]

I have exact same . 6.5.u2 patched up just before U3.. I have key expires = never up to 8 way virtual SMP 

I still cannot deply VSCA 6.5, 80% hang , eventually gets RPM timeout..

[ESXiClash]

can you share info on ESXi Version and License Product Family Type installed on Esxi Version