PCNS_4.1; PowerChute cannot locate the vCenter Server VM in the Inventory

[Anonymous user]

We just installed a new SRT5kRMXLT UPS. We have 5 ESXi servers connected to the unit. I installed PowerChute 4.1 Network Shutdown VM to manage shutting down the VM's, and then the ESXi host as well. During the configuration of PowerChute I get this error message: "PowerChute cannot locate the vCenter Server VM in the Inventory.". It is true that I did select 4 servers during configuration of PowerChute, none of these servers are hosting the vCenter VM. The server running vCenter is not listed in our Data Store as a host. Incidentally, the same server running vCenter VM is also running PowerChute VM. Is this a requirement of PowerChute to have all servers listed in the Data Store? I would think PowerChute would contact vCenter by IP. We also do not use a domain in our environment. I have not upgraded the ESXi host running vCenter to version 6.0 just yet but vCenter at version 6.0. 

Ideas?

Kristen

[BillP]

Hi,

Open the PCNS web interface and go to Communications Settings. Enter the IP address, user name, and password for vCenter Server, select vCenter Server is running on a VM and then click apply. PCNS will attempt to connect to vCenter Server. Assuming PCNS is able to connect if the error continues verify that VMware tools are install on the vCenter Server VM. 

in the above example vCenter server is running on host luna.scvmmgal.net and PCNS is running on sol.scvmmgal.net If vmware tools are not installed on vCenter Server the host running it will not be signified with the VMware icon. 

[Anonymous user]

The instructions you provide have been followed and completed. I double checked as well. The server that runs vCenter VM is 192.168.130.18. As you can see, that server is not in the list below. 

I did try to update VMware Tools on the vCenter VM by logging on to the ESXi host. But that attempt gave a useless error. The image below shows that vCenter is managed by another tool set. I do not think you can update vCenter with its own VM tool set.

I resolved the issue by adding the host vCenter runs on to the Data Store. Now the server shows up to be added for host protection. 

Thanks for your assistance

[BillP]

I get the same error message "PowerChute cannot locate the vCenter Server VM in the Inventory"

We have 3x ESXi server in a cluster.

We are running the vCenter server appliance and the PCNS 4.1 appliance on a different ESXi host ("standalone") that is not part of the cluster.

Is it recommended (or mandatory) to have the vCenter server appliance and the PCNS 4.1 appliance on the cluster ?

Will the VM shutdown work if the vCenter server appliance and/or the PCNS 4.1 appliance is on a different ESXi host?

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Frank,

The options are

1 - Run PCNS and VCSA on standalone Windows server 

2 - Run PCNS on standalone Windows server and VCSA on a host that is included in the cluster

3 - Run PCNS and VCSA on a host that is included in the cluster

In your set up you should follow the set up on page 4 of Application Note 180. 

I will ask that the User's Guide get update to state the need for VCSA to be running on a host that is a member of a protected cluster or as Kristen did add the host running VCSA to the data store.