Deploying VCSA 6.5U1 via JSON Error " format requires a mapping"

[RBohmann2]

Trying to deploy the VCSA via JSON deployment method.  Previously deployed 2 external PSC's via JSON.

The VM eventually deploys and powers on,, however the deployment tool reports an error.

tried a 2nd time with same exact result.  I've looked but have not seen any obvious errors within the JSON file.

Not sure how to debug, any suggestions welcome.  Thanks!

Here is the command I ran:

vcsa-deploy.exe install -t c:\Build\vCenter\6.5\vcsa-cli-installer\templates\install\vCSA_on_ESXi.json --accept-eula --no-esx-ssl-verify

OVF Tool: Disk progress: 99%

OVF Tool: Task progress: 98%

format requires a mapping

Traceback (most recent call last):

  File "D:/build/toolchain\win32\cx-Freeze-4.3.4-python2.7.11-openssl-1.0.2j-vc90sp1\python2.7\Lib\site-packages\cx_Freeze\initscripts\Console.py", line 27, in <module>

  File "main.py", line 1023, in <module>

TypeError: format requires a mapping

The VM object in vCenter lists many events with "Guest Operation authentication failed for operation Initiate file transfer from guest" - these repeat for about 5-6 minutes, then they begin to succeed for another 5-6 minutes with many "Guest Operation Iinitate FIle Transfer from Guest Performed".  These are in the tasks and events view.  So i t appears that the error may be transitory, however I am not sure what the script  error - "  cx_Freeze\initscripts\Console.py", line 27, in <module>   File "main.py", line 1023, in <module> " indicates or if that is related to the initial failed file transfer operations that later appear to succeed.

Not sure where to find those Python scripts to investigate.

[parmarr]

This issue occurs due to the DRS migration of the virtual machine during the deployement causing file transfer errors.  Disable DRS and try to deploy the appliance again, and ensure to license the ESXi host before deploying the VCSA.

Ref: https://kb.vmware.com/kb/2125629

[GregUK]

Hi RBohmann2,

Did you solve this?

I'm installing a fresh VCSA 6.5 as the first PSC in a new SSO domain. I'm using a JSON file which I have successfully used multiple times, all previously deployed PSCs have been deleted. I'm using the 'VMware-VCSA-all-6.5.0-4602587' ISO and installing onto an ESXi 6 host that is licensed and part of a Cluster that is not enabled for DRS. The install goes perfectly up to phase 4 'Install Services' where it sits for eternity!

In the tasks and events on the VM I see lots of this:

Guest operation authentication failed for operation Initiate File Transfer From Guest.

In the tasks and events on the Host I see lots of this:

User root@192.168.20.10 logged out (login time: 26/10/2017 14:31:57, number of API invocations: 0, user agent: )

Guest operation authentication failed for operation Initiate File Transfer From Guest on Virtual machine pscdev.

User root@192.168.20.10 logged in as

User root@192.168.20.10 logged out (login time: 26/10/2017 14:31:49, number of API invocations: 0, user agent: )

Guest operation authentication failed for operation Initiate File Transfer From Guest on Virtual machine pscdev.

The install vcsa-cli-installer.log has a lot of this in it:

2017-10-26 12:12:53,433 - vCSACliInstallLogger - INFO - =================== [4] Install Services started at 12:12:53 ===================

2017-10-26 12:12:53,433 - vCSACliInstallLogger - INFO - Installing services...

2017-10-26 12:12:53,808 - vCSACliInstallLogger - TRACE - Cannot download file /var/log/firstboot/rpmInstall.json from my-host.my-domain.lab. Got error: Failed to download file from guest with error '(vim.fault.GuestOperationsUnavailable) {

   dynamicType = <unset>,

   dynamicProperty = (vmodl.DynamicProperty) [],

   msg = 'The guest operations agent could not be contacted.',

   faultCause = <unset>,

   faultMessage = (vmodl.LocalizableMessage) []

}'

2017-10-26 12:12:53,808 - vCSACliInstallLogger - TRACE - Retrying file download ...

2017-10-26 12:12:59,151 - vCSACliInstallLogger - TRACE - Cannot download file /var/log/firstboot/rpmInstall.json from my-host.my-domain.lab. Got error: Failed to download file from guest with error '(vim.fault.GuestOperationsUnavailable) {

   dynamicType = <unset>,

   dynamicProperty = (vmodl.DynamicProperty) [],

   msg = 'The guest operations agent could not be contacted.',

   faultCause = <unset>,

   faultMessage = (vmodl.LocalizableMessage) []

}'

The final error I get is:

=================== [4] Install Services started at 14:15:38 ===================

Installing services...

Gathering VC support log bundle. This can take a few minutes.

Collecting the support bundle from the deployed appliance...

Cannot collect the support bundle from the deployed appliance: Failed to run

command in guest with error '(vim.fault.InvalidGuestLogin) {    dynamicType =

<unset>,    dynamicProperty = (vmodl.DynamicProperty) [],    msg = 'Failed to

authenticate with the guest operating system using the supplied credentials.',

faultCause = <unset>,    faultMessage = (vmodl.LocalizableMessage) [] }'

Got error while running OVF Tool command: Failed to download file from guest

with error '(vim.fault.InvalidGuestLogin) {    dynamicType = <unset>,

dynamicProperty = (vmodl.DynamicProperty) [],    msg = 'Failed to authenticate

with the guest operating system using the supplied credentials.',    faultCause

= <unset>,    faultMessage = (vmodl.LocalizableMessage) [] }'

================= [6] Result and Log Files started at 15:14:23 =================

Summarizing result and log files...

The vCenter Server Appliance installer result file is at:

c:\users\admini~1\appdata\local\temp\2\vcsaCliInstaller-2017-10-26-14-11-uqinft\vcsa-cli-installer.json

The vCenter Server Appliance installer log file is at:

c:\users\admini~1\appdata\local\temp\2\vcsaCliInstaller-2017-10-26-14-11-uqinft\vcsa-cli-installer.log

The generated template file is at:

c:\users\admini~1\appdata\local\temp\2\vcsaCliInstaller-2017-10-26-14-11-uqinft\generated_install.json

When I connect via the Console it says

"Root password is not set.

RPM Installation failed"

Like I said before I have used this JSON file before so I know it works. I've even reconfigured the JSON so that the VCSA has a different name and DNS name.

It doesn't make sense!

Thanks,

Gerg

[GregUK]

I seem to of solved this via the most bizarre route!

First I tried the 6.5.0U1 ISO, VMware-VCSA-all-6.5.0-5973321, which did not work. I tried deploying to a different Cluster but that also failed with exactly the same results.

While attempting to deploy another VCSA using the 'VMware-VCSA-all-6.5.0-5973321' ISO via the JSON to a host that the install had failed on, and seeing fresh errors against the VM and the host, I SSHd to the PSC and VC that control the ESXi host. Shortly after I see progress! It's like me logging into the PSC and VC unlocked something!

Note the time that the operations succeed from:

Guest operation Initiate File Transfer From Guest performed. 27/10/2017 12:04:05

Guest operation Initiate File Transfer From Guest performed. 27/10/2017 12:03:59

Guest operation Initiate File Transfer From Guest performed. 27/10/2017 12:03:54

Guest operation Initiate File Transfer From Guest performed. 27/10/2017 12:03:48

Guest operation Initiate File Transfer From Guest performed. 27/10/2017 12:03:42

Guest operation authentication failed for operation Initiate File Transfer From Guest. 27/10/2017 12:03:37

Guest operation authentication failed for operation Initiate File Transfer From Guest. 27/10/2017 12:03:29

Guest operation authentication failed for operation Initiate File Transfer From Guest. 27/10/2017 12:03:21

Guest operation authentication failed for operation Initiate File Transfer From Guest. 27/10/2017 12:03:14

Guest operation authentication failed for operation Initiate File Transfer From Guest. 27/10/2017 12:03:06

Guest operation authentication failed for operation Initiate File Transfer From Guest. 27/10/2017 12:02:59

Note last login time:

login as: root

VMware vCenter Server Appliance 6.0.0

Type: vCenter Server with an external Platform Services Controller

root@my-host.my-domain.lab's password:

Last login: Fri Oct 27 12:03:17 BST 2017 from 192.168.20.10 on pts/0

Last login: Fri Oct 27 12:49:55 2017 from 192.168.20.10

Connected to service

Note the time that progress begins (time here seems to be in UTC):

2017-10-27 11:03:44,352 - vCSACliInstallLogger - TRACE - Retrying file download ...

2017-10-27 11:03:51,990 - vCSACliInstallLogger - TRACE - Cannot download file /var/log/firstboot/rpmInstall.json from my-host.my-domain.lab. Got error: Failed to download file from guest with error '(vim.fault.InvalidGuestLogin) {

   dynamicType = <unset>,

   dynamicProperty = (vmodl.DynamicProperty) [],

   msg = 'Failed to authenticate with the guest operating system using the supplied credentials.',

   faultCause = <unset>,

   faultMessage = (vmodl.LocalizableMessage) []

}'

2017-10-27 11:03:51,990 - vCSACliInstallLogger - TRACE - Retrying file download ...

2017-10-27 11:03:59,747 - vCSACliInstallLogger - TRACE - Cannot download file /var/log/firstboot/rpmInstall.json from my-host.my-domain.lab. Got error: Failed to download file from guest with error '(vim.fault.InvalidGuestLogin) {

   dynamicType = <unset>,

   dynamicProperty = (vmodl.DynamicProperty) [],

   msg = 'Failed to authenticate with the guest operating system using the supplied credentials.',

   faultCause = <unset>,

   faultMessage = (vmodl.LocalizableMessage) []

}'

2017-10-27 11:03:59,747 - vCSACliInstallLogger - TRACE - Retrying file download ...

2017-10-27 11:04:05,358 - vCSACliInstallLogger - INFO - Service Installation: Progress: 5% Setting up storage

2017-10-27 11:04:22,325 - vCSACliInstallLogger - INFO - Service Installation: Progress: 52% Installed VMware-jmemtool-6.5.0-5973321.x86_64.rpm

2017-10-27 11:04:28,023 - vCSACliInstallLogger - INFO - Service Installation: Progress: 58% Installed rvc_1.5.0-5388767_x86_64.rpm

2017-10-27 11:04:33,749 - vCSACliInstallLogger - INFO - Service Installation: Progress: 60% Installed VMware-unixODBC-2.3.2.vmw.2-6.5.0.x86_64.rpm

2017-10-27 11:04:45,101 - vCSACliInstallLogger - INFO - Service Installation: Progress: 64% Installed vmware-directory-client-6.5.0.1691-5776897.x86_64.rpm

2017-10-27 11:04:50,680 - vCSACliInstallLogger - INFO - Service Installation: Progress: 70% Installed vmware-certificate-server-6.5.0.2055-5776900.x86_64.rpm

2017-10-27 11:04:56,263 - vCSACliInstallLogger - INFO - Service Installation: Progress: 79% Installed vmware-cm-6.5.0-5973321.x86_64.rpm

2017-10-27 11:05:01,888 - vCSACliInstallLogger - INFO - Service Installation: Progress: 95% Configuring the machine

2017-10-27 11:05:13,339 - vCSACliInstallLogger - INFO - vCenter Server Service installations succeeded.

So the VCSA, as an external PSC for a new SSO domain, has deployed and is 100% happy!

Definitely odd eh!

Cheers,

Gerg

[manuelperrot]

I did the same and tried to ssh to the target vCSA and it also unlocked something and allowed the transfer...

Weird indeed!

[KarelR]

Just bumped into the same issue. For us the fix was DNS. Make sure that DNS is working for the entities involved, including the temporary name/IP of the appliance.