esxi5 vMotion error Host CPU is incompatible - "normal" fix doesn't work

[snowdog_2112]

Host 1: IBM x3650 m2 2xQuad-core CPU

Host 2: IBM x3650 m3 2xHexa-core CPU

Doesn't matter which direction I attempt a vMotion, I get the well-documented:

"Host CPU is incompaitble with the virtual machine's requirements at CPUID level 0x1 register 'ecx'."

I've tried this on 3 VM's, and in both directions.  The "normal" fix - going into the Advanced settings an "Reset All to Default" does not work.  I still get the error.  My workaround:

- power down the VM on the one host

- remove it from inventory (do NOT delete from disk)

- add it to inventory on host 2

- power it on

I noticed as I was composing this that hyperthreading is enabled on one host but not the other.  Is the difference in hyperthreading or the quad/hexa-core cpu causing the failure?

[Troy_Clavell]

You are going to  have to enable EVC on the cluster.  To enable EVC on a cluster, you cannot have any VMs running.

[nielse]

Enable EVC on your cluster.

I see you are removing and re-adding your VM. If you turn it off can you do a cold vmotion or do you get the error as well?

[snowdog_2112]

No VM's running on the entire cluster?  That puts me in a catch-22 with the vCenter server as a Vm on that same cluster.

What's the process for this case?  Isolate the vCenter VM to a single host, remove that host from the cluster, then enable EVC on the cluster, and then add the host back?

[Troy_Clavell]

http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1013111

[KamilAzmer]

To enable EVC  vMotion Cluster, your host must doesn't have VMs running and I had face this before which the action i taken as below without shutdown the VMs however, it's at your own risk  :smileysilly:

1. Ensure All VM's is running at Host A.

2. Remove Host B from Cluster.

3. Create EVC Cluster

4. Add Host B to EVC Cluster

5. vMotion VM's in Host A to Host B

6. Adding Host A to EVC Cluster.

7. Finish.

That it's ^_^

[snowdog_2112]

Does that mean it's possible to vMotion the VM's from HostA in Cluster-1 (non-EVC cluster) to HostB in Cluster-2 (EVC cluster) without getting the error?

[harshahosur81]

cant you over ride the CPU masking using hide NX mask option on vm settings

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=1993