Error: Cannot synchronize host : Cannot complete login due to an incorrect user name or password

[MrSiddiqui]

Hi,

Few days back 3 of my ESX 4.1 servers showed warning in vcenter server Error: Cannot synchronize host : Cannot complete login due to an incorrect user name or password:"..... i tried to Login every host but same error occurs everytime.... EVEN I AM UNABLE TO LOGIN ALL 3 HOSTS FROM DIRECT CONSOLE....... All VMs are up and running on the ESX hosts... I have attached A file with snapshots from vcenter depicting errors....

Please advice what to do

[spravtek]

Did you change the root password on the ESX servers?

Can you still log in through the console of the ESX servers (or through IPMI/DRAC/iLO)?

Probably the root password of your ESX hosts and the vCenter database aren't in sync ...

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=201427...

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=200017...

[MrSiddiqui]

NO i havent changed the root password.

I am unable to login via direct console.

And this is the case with all 3 esx servers...

[spravtek]

That's strange ... Did someone else change it, were you hacked?

When you lost the root password or it doesn't work anymore, there is a way to reset it, but of course, it will require down-time of the host(s)

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?cmd=displayKC&docType=kc&docTypeID=DT_KB_1_1&e...

[MrSiddiqui]

yes this is strande ... and nobody has changed it and neither we are hacked.... i have seen this thread which you have posted.. but my concern is if this didnot worked what would be the consequences? because VMs are up and running.... Also please tell me will i be able to vMotion VMs before trying this on one host?

[spravtek]

Well ... It could be a problem with the vpxuser as well: http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=201746...

But since you can't log into the console anymore, you can't do much ... Everything is uncertain now.

vMotion might work, but might as well not work, difficult to say under these circumstances ... The only way to be sure is to test this, preferably with a VM that can be "missed" or with a template or something ...

The reset of the password in itself will work ... Then when you can access your host again, as in, the root password works, you can remove and re-add the ESX server in the cluster and try all other things mentioned in the different KB's.

[MrSiddiqui]

Ok.... Sprav i will try to reset the password first as this seems to be the only option.... and will update you abut the result... hopefully i will work

[MrSiddiqui]

Hi ,,,,

I am unable to login into SIngle mode...... altough i am pressing SPACEBAR but its nots working.. any idea?

[spravtek]

You do have ESX not ESXi right? There's a distinct difference there in resetting the password ...

Are you doing this directly at the server or through DRAC/IPMI/... ?

You don't get the option to choose "Service Console Only" ... Pressing the spacebar does nothing at all???

[MrSiddiqui]

Its ESX 4.1 ...

I am doing it directly...

Pressing spacebar does not work...and im not getting "single console only"

[spravtek]

Well ... I have no idea ... If pressing the spacebar doesn't work?? ... Does the keyboard work at all??

You should get something like this http://www.itbasement.net/active-directory-authentication-esx-servers/

[MrSiddiqui]

keyboard is fine.... if u have any idea if i can reset it via vcenter... host profiles are not creted by the way..!

By the way bro thanks for your prompt responses.. i really appreciate it..GOD BLESS YOU

[spravtek]

Does any other key work to stop the boot process ... Example using the arrow keys or typing the letter "e" or "a" directly when you see the Grub boot Window.

More easy with screenshots: http://mouweb.com/?p=539

If that doesn't work ... Besides re-installing ESX, maybe use a bootable Linux disk and change the password with that ...