NetWorker VMware Protection vProxy: VM backup Fails with Message "Current license, or ESXi version prohibits execution of the requested operation."

• The VMware Virtual Machine (VM) backup solution is configured using the NetWorker VMware Protection (NVP) vProxy appliance.
• VM backups fail with the following error:

YYYY-MM-DDTHH:mm:SSZ ERROR:  Request to remove snapshot 'snapshot-###' on VM 'VM_NAME' was rejected by vCenter 'Hypervisor_Name': ServerFaultCode: Current license or ESXi version prohibits execution of the requested operation.

Log Locations:

• NetWorker server policy logs:

Linux: /nsr/logs/policy/POLICY_NAME/WORKFLOW_NAME

Windows: C:\Program Files\EMC NetWorker\nsr\logs\POLICY_NAME\WORKFLOW_NAME

• vProxy logs:

Backup session logs: /opt/emc/vproxy/runtime/logs/recycle/vbackupd/DATE

Snapshot manager: /opt/emc/vproxy/runtime/logs/vbackupd/vbackupd-snapmgr.log

This error message is returned to the vProxy appliance from the VMware Application Programing Interface (API). During snapshot creation or removal operations, the vProxy appliance sends a request to the vCenter to perform the appropriate creation or removal operation. 

The root cause of this issue is that free (noncommercial) VMware licenses do not provide sufficient support of VMware vSphere Storage APIs - Data Protection.

See Dell article 201426 NVP vProxy: Troubleshooting VMware Snapshot Issues during NetWorker backups.

There are two options available:

Option 1:

You must contact VMware licensing to obtain a VMware license which supports VMware vSphere Storage APIs - Data Protection (formerly known as VMware vStorage APIs for Data Protection (VADP). Once the appropriate license is applied, the NVP vProxy solution supports VMware Image-based protection. 
 

Option 2:

This method can be used if you are unable to obtain commercial VMware licensing; it does not support VMware image-based protection. Install the NetWorker client software on the VMs which require protection. The VMs can be backed up and recovered similarly as physical systems. 

• NetWorker software is available for download through Dell Support Product Page. 
• NetWorker documentation is available on the Dell Support Product page.