ESXi 4.1 - cant upload or download to datastores. Get error "Failed to log into NFC server"
Recently I found that I could not upload or download from any of the data stores on an ESXi 4.1 box. When I attempt an upload or download, it says "Failed to log into NFC server". The VMs all work, but I'm now desperate to move the VMs off of this box so that I can move them to a new box.
I have trawled the internet and found a few possibilities and the following do not appear to be the culprit:
# DNS - Added local host file entry, but still get the issue
# Disk space - Ample space on datastores and targets
# /etc/vmware/config missing carriage return as per this - The line in question didn't actually exist, so I tried adding it to no effect
I also cant connect via Putty anymore, so something strange has happened!
I also tried Veeam, but for what is supported in ESXi 4,1 free, I get the same error.
I have trawled the internet and found a few possibilities and the following do not appear to be the culprit:
# DNS - Added local host file entry, but still get the issue
# Disk space - Ample space on datastores and targets
# /etc/vmware/config missing carriage return as per this - The line in question didn't actually exist, so I tried adding it to no effect
I also cant connect via Putty anymore, so something strange has happened!
I also tried Veeam, but for what is supported in ESXi 4,1 free, I get the same error.
firewalls, DNS, IP Address
check firewalls are OFF
check you can ping the IP Address of the server
check you can ping the DNS name of the server
can you tracert to the server name, e.g. reverse DNS lockup
You cannot use Veeam Backup with Free ESXi server.
Restarted the Host?
Re-installed the ESXi 4.1 OS software?
check firewalls are OFF
check you can ping the IP Address of the server
check you can ping the DNS name of the server
can you tracert to the server name, e.g. reverse DNS lockup
You cannot use Veeam Backup with Free ESXi server.
Restarted the Host?
Re-installed the ESXi 4.1 OS software?
ASKER
There is a firewall in between, but I can replicate with a laptop on same subnet.
I can ping the ESXi host by IP, hostname and FQDN.
I have restarted the host.
I am hesitant to re-install as there are some VMs on the system partition that I don't want to lose. I have thought about installing ESXi 5.1 over the top, but again, I'm worried that I'll lose the VMs.
I can ping the ESXi host by IP, hostname and FQDN.
I have restarted the host.
I am hesitant to re-install as there are some VMs on the system partition that I don't want to lose. I have thought about installing ESXi 5.1 over the top, but again, I'm worried that I'll lose the VMs.
Install/Re-installing asks you if you want to preserve the VMFS (which is where your VMs are installed!)
ASKER
I'm aware of this, but with key servers on the system drive, I'd prefer to back the files up first. Another option is to see if I can boot from a USB stick and install ESXi 5.1 on that. That way i can migrate them to a clean server.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
I installed ESXi 5.1 to a USB stick on an identical server and once installed, I plugged it into the problematic server and booted from the USB stick. This picked up the datastores and I was able to copy files to and from them.
Check if you have disabled Remote Tech Support Mode or SSH which would disable connection from puTTy. The following video should be helpful to you.
http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1017910