vCenter 6.5 Upgrade fails with error: vix error codes = (1, 4294967294)

I just upgraded the vCenter in my test lab, and I got an error after the first part of the process. When it was about to migrate data from the old VCSA 6.0 Server.

I restarted to process but this time is was unable to get information from my source VCSA server. In the log I had the following errors:

2016-11-16T16:42:03.649Z - info: VM Identifier for Source VC: vm-108
2016-11-16T16:42:03.784Z - debug: initiateFileTransferFromGuest error: ServerFaultCode: A general system error occurred: vix error codes = (1, 4294967294).
2016-11-16T16:42:03.785Z - debug: Failed to get fileTransferInfo:ServerFaultCode: A general system error occurred: vix error codes = (1, 4294967294).
2016-11-16T16:42:03.785Z - debug: Failed to get url of file in guest vm:ServerFaultCode: A general system error occurred: vix error codes = (1, 4294967294).
2016-11-16T16:42:03.785Z - error: Error in getting fileData for nodeType. Error: ServerFaultCode: A general system error occurred: vix error codes = (1, 4294967294).
2016-11-16T16:42:03.785Z - error: Failed to read the nodetype, Error: A general system error occurred: vix error codes = (1, 4294967294).
2016-11-16T16:42:03.786Z - error: sourcePrecheck: error in getting source Info: ServerFaultCode: A general system error occurred: vix error codes = (1, 4294967294).

I quickly discovered the reason. My root password was expired and it wanted me to create a new password for root.

If you want to keep your password as is, you can do the following:

1. Log in top VCSA using root.
2. Start the shell

3. # Command:
   
   shell.set --enabled true

4. Update the password to something temporary (Enter a new password twice. Do not forget it)

   # Command:
   
   passwd

   If you just want to fix your problem you can stop here, and retry the VCSA upgrade, otherwise keep going.

5. Delete your password history

   # Command:
   
   echo '' > /etc/security/opasswd

6. Set you password back to the original

   # Command:
   
   passwd

7. This time remember to set you root password to not expire using the vami interface “https://server-ip-or-hostname:5480” under administration

I do not recommend using non-expiring passwords in production environments.

For other relevant pre-upgrade information. Check this post by my college Allan. http://www.virtual-allan.com/important-information-for-vsphere-6-5-upgrade/