VMware virtual machine restore fails with "The operation is not allowed in the current state. <280>"
Problem
Restore of virtual machine using NetBackup VMware agent is failing.
Error Message
The following is observed in the Activity Monitor Job Details for the restore:
Oct 1, 2019 3:00:43 PM - Info bpVMutil (pid=9092) INF - vmwareLogger: WaitForTaskComplete: The operation is not allowed in the current state. <280>
Oct 1, 2019 3:00:45 PM - Info bpVMutil (pid=9092) INF - vmwareLogger: WaitForTaskComplete: SYM_VMC_ERROR: TASK_REACHED_ERROR_STATE
Oct 1, 2019 3:00:46 PM - Info bpVMutil (pid=9092) INF - vmwareLogger: CreateVm: SYM_VMC_ERROR: TASK_REACHED_ERROR_STATE
Oct 1, 2019 3:00:48 PM - Info bpVMutil (pid=9092) INF - vmwareLogger: CreateVirtualMachineExAPI: SYM_VMC_ERROR: TASK_REACHED_ERROR_STATE
Oct 1, 2019 3:00:49 PM - end Restore; elapsed time 0:00:40
NetBackup VMware policy restore error (2820)
A verbose 5 NetBackup bpVMutil legacy log on the VMware recovery host will also capture this activity.
Cause
Two possible causes and solutions (there may be more):
1. The ESXi host selected for the virtual machine at time of restore to is in "maintenance mode."
2. There is a cd/dvd image mounted in the VMs virtual disk drive at time of backup and the restore is unable to reestablish this mapping.
Solution
For 1 above, at time of restore select a ESXi host that is not in maintenance mode.
For 2 above, select "remove backing devices" during the restore configuration steps.