vCenter 6.7 Appliance upgrade failed "Update failed. Fix and reset banner." is all that's given as a message.

[IamTHEvilONE]

Currently the UI shows the same message "Update failed. Fix and reset banner."

The Console shows it below the URL list.

There is no KB that I have found.

I was trying to use the appliance upgrade page to go from 6.7 GA to current release offering in the Upgrade section.

Anyone know of a document that covers diagnosing this sort of thing?

[IamTHEvilONE]

2018-09-06 17:06:38,509 - vmware.update.extensions - DEBUG - The component script returned 'None'

2018-09-06 17:06:38,512 - vmware.appliance.update.update_b2b - DEBUG - update script result file '{\n    "error": null,\n    "info": [],\n    "progress": 100,\n    "progress_message": null,\n    "status": "success",\n    "warning": []\n}'

2018-09-06 17:06:38,512 - /usr/lib/applmgmt/update/py/vmware/appliance/update/task_manager.py - DEBUG - UpdateTask: status=RUNNING, progress=70, message={'args': [], 'id': 'com.vmware.appliance.rpm_in_progress', 'default_message': 'Installing packages'}

2018-09-06 17:06:38,520 - vmware.appliance.update.update_functions - DEBUG - Running /bin/bash --login -c /bin/rpm -Uhv /storage/updatemgr/software-update/stage/*.rpm

2018-09-06 17:07:45,068 - vmware.appliance.update.update_functions - DEBUG - runCommandAndCheckResult failed: LocalizableException({'args': [], 'id': 'com.vmware.appliance.test_rpm_transaction_failed', 'default_message': 'RPM transaction failed. Collect the logs for ....

2018-09-06 17:07:45,070 - vmware.appliance.update.update_b2b - ERROR - Install failed: LocalizableException({'args': [], 'id': 'com.vmware.appliance.test_rpm_transaction_failed', 'default_message': 'RPM transaction failed. Collect the logs for diagnostics'}, "Prepari ...

2018-09-06 17:07:45,070 - /usr/lib/applmgmt/update/py/vmware/appliance/update/task_manager.py - DEBUG - UpdateTask: status=FAILED, progress=70, message={'args': [], 'id': 'com.vmware.appliance.unspecified error', 'default_message': 'The installation failed due to an unexpected problem. Collect the logs'}

2018-09-06 17:07:45,080 - vmware.appliance.update.update_functions - DEBUG - Running /usr/bin/banner_ctrl set --msg Update failed. Fix and reset banner.

How do I find out which RPM failed the transaction easily?  The logs have the entries as on long line.

[IamTHEvilONE]

Actually, I think the root password expired inside the appliance without any visible warning.

updated it via ssh into the shell, set the new password, set the chage to basically infinity and then rebooted.

After reboot i could access the appliance mgmt page and it shows the default error of the upgrade failed.

[darkzealot]

I have the same exact issue upgrading from VCSA 6.7.0.10000 (embedded PSC)

Command> software-packages list --staged
[2018-09-23T11:06:46.266] :
        updateversion: True
        size in MB: 1987
        version: 6.7.0.14000
        thirdPartyInstallation: False
        version_supported: ['6.7.0.10000', '6.7.0.11000', '6.7.0.12000', '6.7.0.13000']
        tags: []
        summary: Patch for VMware vCenter Server Appliance 6.7.0
        severity: critical
        eulaAcceptTime: 2018-09-23 11:06:26 PDT
        productname: VMware vCenter Server Appliance
        vendor: VMware, Inc.
        leaf_services: ['vmware-pod']
        category: Bugfix
        kb: http://kb.vmware.com/kb/56501
        name: VC-6.7.0d-Appliance-FP
        releasedate: August 14, 2018
        buildnumber: 9451876
        TPP_ISO: False
        rebootrequired: False
Command> software-packages install --staged
[2018-09-23T11:07:33.266] : Validating software update payload
[2018-09-23T11:07:33.266] : Validation successful
[2018-09-23 11:07:33,243] : Copying software packages  [2018-09-23T11:07:33.266] : ISO mounted successfully
2/2
[2018-09-23T11:07:33.266] : ISO unmounted successfully
[2018-09-23 11:07:33,525] : Running test transaction ....
[2018-09-23 11:07:36,557] : Running pre-install script.....
[2018-09-23 11:09:58,318] : Upgrading software packages ....
[2018-09-23T11:09:59.266] : Package update failed
[2018-09-23 11:09:59,349] : Starting all services ...

[IamTHEvilONE]

It took some work to get the Appliance management page up ... I don't remember how.

I was able to dump out a backup of the VCSA to an SCP location (ESXi host to a datastore).  then restore it into a new VCSA, then upgrade.

Post upgrade, my localization labels are messed up ... but things seem to work okay.

[Mrcole]

Always create a snapshot of your appliance before you do an upgrade.