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Troubleshooting migration compatibility error: Virtual machine has 2 virtual CPUs but the host software only supports 1

Symptoms

  • VMotion fails 
  • When performing a VMotion migration, you see the error: 

    Unable to migrate from <source server> to <destination server>: Virtual Machine has 2 virtual CPUs, but the host software only supports 1 .

Resolution

Overview

This error may occur when a virtual machine that is configured to use more than one CPU with vSMP is migrated to a host that does not support vSMP.
 
The error is generated when performing a migration between ESX Server 2.x servers because the licensing is separate for vSMP. In VMware Infrastructure 3 (VI3) the vSMP feature is included in all versions. VMware is investigating an issue that causes this to occur in a VI3 environment as well.
 

Workarounds

For ESX Server 2.x, perform one of the following workarounds:
  • Check to see if you are licenced for vSMP. To check to see if you are licenced for vSMP:
    1. Login to the ESX host MUI as root . 
    2. Click Options > Licencing and Serial Numbers.
    3. Check to see if there is a serial number for VMware Virtual SMP for ESX Server. If there is not, enter a valid serial number or contact your sales representative for more information on how to purchase a license.
  • Edit the settings of your virtual machine while it is powered off and reduce the number of CPUs assigned to the virtual machine.
For ESX Server 3.x, perform one of the following workarounds:
  • Relicense the ESX host. To relicense the ESX host:
    1. Log in to VirtualCenter as an administrator with VMware Infrastructure Client. 

      Note:  If you do not use VirtualCenter, log in to the ESX host directly with the root account.
    2. Click on your ESX Server from the inventory.
    3. Click on the Configuration Tab.
    4. Click the Licensed Features link.
    5. Click Edit under the ESX Server Edition section.
    6. Select the Unlicensed radio button.
    7. Click OK.
    8. Click Edit under the ESX Server Edition section.
    9. Select the ESX Server Standard radio button.
    10. Click OK, and r etry the migration.
  • Remove the ESX host from VirtualCenter, and then re-add it to VirtualCenter
  • Restart the VMware VirtualCenter Server service.
  • Edit the settings of your virtual machine while it is powered off and reduce the number of CPUs assigned to the virtual machine.

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Actions
  • KB Article: 1003741
  • Updated: Aug 14, 2009
  • Products:
    VMware VirtualCenter
  • Product Versions:
    VMware VirtualCenter 2.0.x
    VMware VirtualCenter 2.5.x