PANIC: Error While reading file: -3, vpxa.vgz

[faster4233]

Hi,

I downloaded and fresh installed all 3 of our Hosts to build: 208167. I'm then trying to use the host update utility to add the remaining patches but after every update i get PANIC: Error Whle reading file: -3, vpxa.vgz

This actually happened when i upgraded from vi3.5 to 4.0 originally. A repair or reinstall will fix the issue, but it means i cant get the newest patches.

does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks for the help.

[AndreTheGiant]

You have vCenter Server? Have you upgraded it first?

The ESXi is the free edition? In this case you cannot manage it when is upgraded to ESXi 4.0.

To remove the vpxa agent:

http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1008643

Andre

[kjb007]

Have you updated the vi client and the host update utility? You can also use the RCLI to install ESXi patches.

-KjB

[faster4233]

Hi,

Virtual Center and the Host Update Utility have been updated to the latest version.

Its actually always been a problem all the way since VI3 i have only ever seen one server successfully update. Could it be an issue with the USB flash drives they use? They are only 2gb?

[kjb007]

It's possible, but typically for an ESXi patch, the patch only includes the parts that have actually changed, ESXi image, the vmware tools, and/or the vSphere client. I would try to update using the RCLI, and see if it produces similar error.

I've also seen issues when there is high latency between the update utility, and the ESXi host itself. Have you tried loading the client on another machine, and retrying the update?

-KjB

[faster4233]

Hi,

Thanks for the suggestions guys,

HP had issued a recall on some of their USB pen drives, and we had 3 of them. The issue they actually mentioned was that the drives would sometimes not save configurations after an update, which we had suffered previously. It also seemed to have an issue with the updates. HP Sent us new ones and we can not update perfectly on all Hosts.

It would be worth noting for others though that this issue also occurred on other USB Flash drives i tried, so ESXi seems to be very particular about which ones are used. I would definitely recommend getting drives Recommended by VMware only.

Also the HP USB drives where bought around 2007, and are in a green metal case if anyone has any. Its well worth looking over the servers website pages to see if there are any recalls.

Thanks for the help.