Error Validating Policy Message in Dell Remote Management Console

Summary: In version 9.5 and later of Dell Security Management Server, we get an "Error Validating Policy" message in RMC if there is an existing policy syntax issue.

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Symptoms

Affected Products:

  • Dell Security Management Server
  • Dell Data Protection | Enterprise Edition
  • Dell Security Management Server Virtual
  • Dell Data Protection | Virtual Edition

Affected Versions:

  • v9.5 and later

Error Validating Policy message

Note: This was reported as an "internal server error" in previous 9.x versions.

Cause

Not Applicable

Resolution

This policy check can be disabled by modifying the core server configuration file PolicyService.config with the property name StrictValidation, changing the value from 'true' to 'false'.

In the core server logs we get the exact policy and value that is causing issues:

2016-10-24 09:43:01,657 ERROR POLICY [57] - Invalid Value for 90039 - Script Control Approve Scripts in Folders (and Subfolders): \ApprovedScripts\
2016-10-24 09:43:01,657 ERROR POLICY [57] - Exception in ArbitrateValue: uid - 90039
System.ArgumentException: Invalid Value for 90039
    at Credant.Policy.Policy.set_Value(String value):q!
    at Credant.Policy.Enterprise.Assembler.ArbitrateValue(Policy currentPolicy)

Dell Security Management Server

Steps to editing PolicyService.config

  1. Open Services on the Dell Security Management Server
  2. Stop the Dell Core Server Service.
    Stop the Dell Core Server Service
  3. Go to C:\Program Files\Dell\Enterprise Edition\Core Server and edit PolicyService.config with a text editor.
    Edit PolicyService.config
  4. Scroll down the file to locate StrictValidation.
    Locate StrictValidation
  5. Change StrictValidation from true to false (located below).
    Change StrictValidation from true to false
  6. Save Policyservice.config and exit the text editor.
  7. Start the Dell Core Server Service.
    Start the Dell Core Server Service

Dell Security Management Server Virtual

v9.11 and Later

Steps to editing PolicyService.config:
  1. Open the Virtual Appliance.
  2. Go to Basic Configuration.
    Go to Basic Configuration
  3. Under Basic Configuration, scroll down to Stop Application (shown below).
    Stop Application
  4. Confirm service shutdown.
    Confirm Stop Application

    Confirm service shutdown
  5. From the Main Menu, scroll down to Launch Shell.
    Launch Shell
  6. Switch user from dellconsole to dellsupport: su dellsupport.
    Switch user
  7. Go to the core-server folder: cd /opt/dell/server/core-server.
    Type cd /opt/dell/server/core-server
  8. Type command: sudo vi PolicyService.config.
    Type sudo vi PolicyService.config
  9. Enter i to edit file (notice at the bottom of the file –INSERT--, this indicates you can edit).
    Enter i to edit file
  10. Scroll down the file to locate StrictValidation.
    Locate StrictValidation
  11. Change StrictValidation from true to false (located below).
    Change StrictValidation from true to false
  12. Press Esc (notice the –-INSERT- - disappears).
  13. Type :wq (as shown below) this saves the changes that have been made.
    Type :wq
  14. After typing :wq and pressing enter, you see the below:
    Confirm file updated
  15. Notice that you return back to the core-server path. Type exit, to leave that specified path.
    Type exit
  16. The next path, enter exit once more. You return to the Main Menu on the Virtual Appliance.
    Main Menu on the Virtual Appliance
  17. Select Basic Configuration.
    Select Basic Configuration
  18. Scroll down to Start Application.
    Start Application
  19. You receive the below prompt:
    Select Yes to Start the Application
  20. Select Yes. Services begin to start.
    Services begin to start

After Server Status indicates Running on each service, you will no longer receive: Error Validating Policy

v9.5 to 9.10

Steps to editing PolicyService.config
  1. Open the Virtual Appliance.
  2. Go to Basic Configuration.
    Go to Basic Configuration
  3. Under Basic Configuration, scroll down to Stop Application (shown below).
    Stop Application

    Confirm Serves Stopped
  4. From Main Menu, scroll down to Launch Shell.
    Launch Shell
  5. (Shown below) Switch user from ddpconsole to ddpsupport: su ddpsupport
  6. Go to the core-server folder: cd /opt/dell/server/core-server
  7. Type command: sudo vi PolicyService.config
    Switch user, Go to the core-server folder, Type command: sudo vi PolicyService.config
  8. Enter i to edit file (notice at the bottom of the file –INSERT--, this indicates you can edit).
    Enter i to edit file
  9. Scroll down the file to locate StrictValidation
    Scroll down the file to locate <code>StrictValidation</code>
  10. Change StrictValidation from true to false (located below).
    Change StrictValidation from true to false
  11. Press Esc (notice the –-INSERT- - disappears).
    Press Esc
  12. Type :wq (as shown below) this saves the changes that have been made.
    Type :wq
  13. After typing :wq and pressing enter, you see the below:
    Confirm file updated
  14. Notice that you return back to the core-server path. Enter exit, to leave that specified path.
    Type exit
  15. The next path, enter exit once more. You return to the Main Menu on the VE Appliance.
    You return to the Main Menu on the VE Appliance
  16. Scroll up to Basic Configuration.
    Select Basic Configuration
  17. Scroll down to Start Application.
    Start Application
  18. You receive the below prompt:
    Select Yes to start the VE services
  19. Select Yes. Services begin to start.
    Services begin to start

After Server Status indicates Running on each service, you will no longer receive: Error Validating Policy

Affected Products

Dell Encryption
Article Properties
Article Number: 000129785
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 31 Aug 2026
Version:  9
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