NMC install fails on Windows Host "Unable to verify Authentication Server's Hostname and/or Port"

Summary: When installing the NetWorker Management Console (NMC) or NetWorker Web User Interface (NWUI) on a Windows host, it fails to connect to the NetWorker authentication server. The NMC/NWUI server is separate from the NetWorker server. Name resolution and port connection tests are successful. The problem occurs when TLS 1.1 and 1.2 are disabled on the standalone NMC server. ...

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
Check out other resources

Symptoms

  • The NetWorker Management Console (NMC) or NetWorker Web User Interface (NWUI) software is being installed on a standalone Windows host. The NetWorker server software is installed on another system.
  • During the installation it fails to connect to the NetWorker authentication server and returns the following error:
NMC install error
  • The NMC/NWUI host can fully resolve the NetWorker server: Shortname, Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN), IP address
    • nslookup ADDRESS
  • The NMC/NWUI host can connect to port 9090 on the NetWorker server (authentication host):
    • PowerShell command: tnc AUTHC_SERVER_ADDRESS -p 9090
  • The NMC/NWUI server has Internet Explorer installed. 

Cause

TLS settings have been modified on the NMC/NWUI server's Internet Explorer settings. The setting is restricting communication to the NetWorker authentication (AUTHC) server over its required TLS setting. This Internet test collects and installs the authentication server certificate needed for SSL/TLS communication between the NMC/NWUI server and the AUTHC service.

If the NetWorker server has the NetWorker Web User Interface (NWUI) server package installed. You receive a TLS-related error when trying to connect to it from Internet Explorer on the standalone-NMC server: https://NETWORKER_SERVER_ADDRESS:9090/nwui
TLS web error

NOTE: The error message may vary based on OS, Internet Explorer version, TLS settings on the NetWorker server, and TLS restrictions on the NMC server. The error illustrates that there is an SSL TLS issue when connecting to the AUTHC service on the NetWorker server.

Resolution

On the NetWorker server, perform the following:
1. Check the AUTHC server.xml and confirm what sslEnabledProtocols are set:

Linux: /nsr/authc/conf/server.xml
Windows (Default Install path): C:\Program Files\EMC NetWorker\nsr\authc-server\tomcat\conf\server.xml

Example: 
root@nsr:~]# cat /nsr/authc/conf/server.xml | grep sslEnabledProtocols
        sslEnabledProtocols="TLSv1.2"

In this example, AUTHC server communication requires TLSv1.2. In the following steps, use the latest TLS version from the server .xml in the Internet Explorer TLS settings on the NMC/NWUI server.
 

On the standalone NMC/NWUI server, perform the following:
1. Launch Internet Explorer.
2. Open the Settings menu (Gear icon in upper-right corner).
3. Click Internet Options.
4. In the Internet Options window, click the Advanced tab.
5. In the Advanced tab, scroll down to Security in the Settings window.
6. Select the TLS versions that are defined in the NetWorker server's server.xml file:

internet TLS settings
7. Click Apply, then click OK and close Internet Explorer.
8. Return to the NetWorker installation wizard and close out the error if its still open.
9. In the NMC options window, click Next. This time you should be prompted to install the AUTHC certificate:

certificate installation options

10. Install the certificate in the local machine's trusted root certificates:

A. Click View Certificate.
B. From the Certificate, click Install Certificate.
C. Select Local Machine and click Next.
D. Select Place all certificates in the following store, then click Browse.
E. Select Trusted Root Certification Authorities, then click OK.
F. On the Certificate Install Wizard, click Next.
G. Click Finish.
H. You should receive a pop-up stating "The import was successful," click OK.
I. From the Certificate window, click OK.
J. From the Security Alert window, click Yes.
certificate installed

11. Complete the NetWorker installation.

Additional Information

Affected Products

NetWorker

Products

NetWorker Family, NetWorker Series
Article Properties
Article Number: 000227195
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 24 Jun 2025
Version:  4
Find answers to your questions from other Dell users
Support Services
Check if your device is covered by Support Services.