Fail to create snapshot for VMware client for NetBackup; "An error occurred while quiescing the virtual machine. See the virtual machine's event log for details. <178>"

Problem

A VMware client will intermittently fail to generate a snapshot, causing the NetBackup job to fail with a status 156.  Examining the bpfis log on the VMware Backup Host revealed the error shown.  However, when the client was accessed and the Event Viewer / Application and System logs were examined, there was no evidence of any VSS or related issues.  A vssadmin list writers command returned no errors.

Error Message

bpfis log with vmcloglevel = 6 (see VMware for NetBackup Administration Guide for more information on vmcloglevel)

"An error occurred while quiescing the virtual machine. See the virtual machine's event log for details. <178>"

Here is the relevant log snippet:

04:35:57.888 [7872.6900] <2> onlfi_vfms_logf: INF - vmwareLogger: CreateSnapshotAPI: entered: snapshotName=NBU_SNAPSHOT vmclient.mycorp.com 1347964517, vmPath=/vmmor/vm-1234
04:35:57.888 [7872.6900] <2> onlfi_vfms_logf: INF - vmwareLogger: CreateSnapshotAPI: Caller's ThreadId = 6900
04:35:57.888 [7872.6900] <2> onlfi_vfms_logf: INF - vmwareLogger: ParseDatacenterPath: Path=/vmmor/vm-1234
04:35:57.888 [7872.6900] <2> onlfi_vfms_logf: INF - vmwareLogger: ParseDatacenterPath: Path=\(DC)VM Datacenter(DC)\vm\Messaging\VMCONTROL_SMTP_RELAY
04:35:57.888 [7872.6900] <2> onlfi_vfms_logf: INF - vmwareLogger: ParseDatacenterPath: Path=\(DC)NEC Datacenter(DC)\vm\Messaging\VMCONTROL_SMTP_RELAY, DC path=/VM Datacenter/, Container path =/VM Datacenter/vm/, Obj type=VirtualMachine
04:35:57.888 [7872.6900] <2> onlfi_vfms_logf: INF - vmwareLogger: RetrieveDcMorAndObjMorFromPath: err = 0
04:35:57.888 [7872.6900] <2> onlfi_vfms_logf: INF - vmwareLogger: CreateSnapshot: snapshotName=NBU_SNAPSHOT vmclient.mycorp.com 1347964517, vmMOR=vm-1234, snapMemory=false, quiesceFileSystem=true
04:35:57.919 [7872.6900] <2> onlfi_vfms_logf: INF - vmwareLogger: getObjectProperty: for Mor=<SessionManager><SessionManager> Property=currentSession
04:36:11.055 [7872.6900] <2> onlfi_vfms_logf: INF - vmwareLogger: WaitForTaskCompleteEx: reached Error!
04:36:11.055 [7872.6900] <2> onlfi_vfms_logf: INF - vmwareLogger: WaitForTaskCompleteEx: An error occurred while quiescing the virtual machine. See the virtual machine's event log for details. <178>
04:36:11.055 [7872.6900] <2> onlfi_vfms_logf: INF - vmwareLogger: WaitForTaskCompleteEx: SYM_VMC_ERROR:  TASK_REACHED_ERROR_STATE
04:36:11.055 [7872.6900] <2> onlfi_vfms_logf: INF - vmwareLogger: WaitForTaskCompleteEx: returning 0X24
04:36:11.055 [7872.6900] <2> onlfi_vfms_logf: INF - vmwareLogger: CreateSnapshot: SYM_VMC_ERROR:  TASK_REACHED_ERROR_STATE
04:36:11.055 [7872.6900] <2> onlfi_vfms_logf: INF - vmwareLogger: CreateSnapshotAPI: SYM_VMC_ERROR:  TASK_REACHED_ERROR_STATE

Solution

Please review Veritas technical article 000008268

and VMware knowledge base article https://kb.vmware.com/kb/1018194
(Please note that this link will redirect you to an external web site.  The link was correct at the writing of this article.  Veritas is not responsible for the accuracy or content of external information).

This particular example was resolved by following the instructions to reinstall the VM Tools on the client and selecting the option to retain the Microsoft VSS provider or install the Veritas VSS provider.

Applies To

This particular error was noted with a VMware / vCenter 5.0 environment.