While deploying vMX on ESXi6.5 by using the Web UI, the "Failed to deploy VM: postNFCData failed" error may be encountered, which may eventually lead to vMX deployment failure.
This article suggests a workaround that can be applied until a fix is available in an upcoming patch.
The "Failed to deploy VM: postNFCData failed" error is encountered, followed by the vMX failing to deploy eventually.
This is a known issue on ESXi6.5 when using Web UI to deploy vMX. The issue is expected to be addressed in upcoming VMWare patches.
Meanwhile, as a workaround, OVFTOOL can be used to deploy vMX.
Syntax
# ovftool -dm=thick --name=<name of vm> -ds=<name of datastore> '--net:br-ext=<external interface name>' '--net:br-int=<internal interface name>' <path to ova image> vi://<username>:<password>@<esxi host ip address>
The above command must be executed for both the vCP and vFP instances.
Example
$ ovftool -dm=thick --name=vCP-18.1 -ds=datastore1 '--net:br-ext=VM Network' '--net:br-int=br-int' vcp_18.1R1.9.ova vi://root:root123@10.10.10.1
Opening OVA source: vcp_18.1R1.9.ova
The manifest validates
Opening VI target: vi://root@10.10.10.1:443/
Deploying to VI: vi://root@10.10.10.1:443/
Transfer Completed
Completed successfully
$ ovftool -dm=thick --name=vFP-18.1 -ds=datastore1 '--net:br-ext=VM Network' '--net:br-int=br-int' vfpc_18.1R1.9.ova vi://root:root123@10.10.10.1
Opening OVA source: vfpc_18.1R1.9.ova
The manifest validates
Opening VI target: vi://root@10.10.10.1:443/
Deploying to VI: vi://root@10.10.10.1:443/
Transfer Completed
Completed successfully
$