Stuck with VMware error: Missing credentials for vCenter server? We can help you.

We may come across this error if the credential is not in the credential file or if the credential file does not contain data.

As part of our Server Management Services, we assist our customers with several VMware queries.

Today, let us see how we can fix this error.

VMware error: Missing credentials for vCenter server

Generally, we can find two variants to this error. They are as follows:

Missing credentials for vCenter server/ ESXi host.[Credential not found in credential file.]

OR

Missing credentials for vCenter server/ ESXi host.[Credential file does not contain data.]

It occurs if:

1. The credential is not in the credential file: If the credential file contains the invalid IP address of ESX host\ vCenter.
2. Credential file does not contain data: If the internal store credential file is empty or deleted.

How to resolve the error?

In this article, let us see how our Support Techs go about the error.

• Reset credentials for backup proxy configured for an ESXi host.

After we configure the backup proxy, in order to change the vCenter Server or the ESXi details, we use the vCenterDetail utility.

It bundles along with the backup proxy.

With it, we can view, set, and delete vCenter Server or ESXi credentials.

Moving ahead, let us see how to use this utility:

1. Initially, from the vSphere Client console, we click VMs and Templates.
2. Then we start the backup proxy virtual machine.
3. Later, we open a terminal on the virtual machine.
4. Eventually, we log on to the virtual machine.
5. To view the vCenter Server or ESXi, username and port details, we run:

   1 vCenterDetail get

6. Then to set the vCenter Server or ESXi hypervisor credentials, we use:

   1 vCenterDetail set <FQDN or IP> <Username> <Password>

   Suppose, we need to set credentials for VMware setup on the cloud. Then we run:

   1 vCenterDetail set vmc <FQDN or IP> <Username> <Password>

7. Finally, to delete the credentials of the vCenter Server or the ESXi, we run:

   view sourceprint
   1 vCenterDetail delete

• Reconfigure backup proxy settings for the vCenter server.

Consider we have a backup proxy configured for a vCenter Server. However, we reconfigure backup proxy settings for the vCenter server.

1. To do so, we log in to the backup proxy with root credentials using the vSphere client.
2. Then at the command prompt, we type ProxyConf.
3. Here, we select the type of Druva Cloud by typing the number adjacent to the cloud.
   – Mainline Cloud
   – GovCloud
4. Then we can see the backup proxy settings on the screen.
5. Finally, on the Backup Proxy settings page, enter the required page number and update the details:
   

   Field	Description
   Network configuration	We need to specify the updated network settings (Static/DHCP). If we select DHCP, the DHCP IP will be set. If we select the Static IP,  provide the following details: IP Address Netmask Gateway Primary DNS Secondary DNS Domain Secondary DNS Domain
   Change hostname	Once done, we can choose to change the CentOS hostname. To change the hostname, in the prompt we provide the new hostname. If there is no need for change, only press Enter.
   Provide vCenter/ESXi FQDN (or IP address) and credentials	In the prompt, we provide the FQDN or IP address of the ESXi server.
   Provide activation token	Generally, the Druva Phoenix generates an activation token when we register the VMware setup. We need to enter it here. Then we wait till the virtual machine synchronizes with the NTP server. By default, the Druva Phoenix backup proxy synchronizes with the CentOS NTP servers.
   Network proxy settings	In case we have a web proxy in the environment, enter Yes when prompted with Do you want to use Network Proxy Setting. To continue without using a proxy, enter No. If Yes, we provide the following details: We can choose one of the following authentication methods: 0 for None 1 for Kerberos 2 for Basic For the Kerberos authentication method, we need to provide the following details: FQDN of DNS Server Name DNS Server User Name: To let the backup proxy virtual machine use the domain we provide in the DNS Server Name field. DNS Server User Password Once done, the Druva Phoenix backup proxy attempts to connect to the DNS server. If successful, we provide the following details. KDC server name KDCport KDC username KDC Password Once done, the backup proxy tries to connect to the KDC server and generate an authentication ticket. If successful, it can connect to the web proxy. Proxy Type: http socks4 socks5 Later, we fill in the below details accordingly. Proxy Server Proxy port Username Password
   Change the time zone	Then, we can change the time zone on the system.  To do so, we type yes. From the list of continents and oceans, we type the number corresponding to the server location. From the list of countries, we type the number corresponding to the country in which the server locates. Then we type 1, to set the selected time zone. Once we change the time zone, the backup proxy will reboot. On the other hand, we can type no, to keep the default time zone.
   Exit	Finally, we wait for the synchronization to complete and exit.

[Need help with the methods? Feel free to contact us]

Conclusion

To conclude, we saw how our Support Techs fix the VMware error for our customers.