NVP vProxy: NetWorker nsrvim process runs every 15 minutes causing a high workload on vCenter Server and potential VPXD unavailability

Summary: The VMware vCenter server is observing VPXD service unavailability or is unresponsive due to high workload from NetWorker server. This KB provides details on how to tune the NetWorker vCenter inventory discovery process (nsrvim). ...

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 server has been configured for VMware protection of a vCenter server.
  • The vCenter server observes issues with the VMware Virtual Provisioning X Daemon (VPXD) service availability or general high workload.

Cause

NetWorker's vCenter inventory process (nsrvim) is initiated during service startup then runs every 15 minutes (default). This process also runs anytime a VMware protection job runs against the vCenter. Depending on how many NetWorker servers are connected to the vCenter, and the amount or frequency of VMware protection policy operations. This causes several inventory query requests against the vCenter server in a short window.
This task is observed in the daemon.log on the NetWorker server as:

106637 MM/DD/YYY HH:MM:SS AM/PM  1 3 0 15204 8080 0 NSR_HOSTNAME nsrdisp_nwbg RAP notice job 'nsrvim' progress message: nsrvim starting on NSR_HOSTNAME (process 10852). 
106637 MM/DD/YYY HH:MM:SS AM/PM  1 3 0 15204 8080 0 NSR_HOSTNAME nsrdisp_nwbg RAP notice job 'nsrvim' progress message: Connecting to NetWorker on 'NSR_HOSTNAME'. 
106637 MM/DD/YYY HH:MM:SS AM/PM  1 3 0 15204 8080 0 NSR_HOSTNAME nsrdisp_nwbg RAP notice job 'nsrvim' progress message: Querying NSR hypervisor resource 'VC_HOSTNAME' 
106637 MM/DD/YYY HH:MM:SS AM/PM  1 3 0 15204 8080 0 NSR_HOSTNAME nsrdisp_nwbg RAP notice job 'nsrvim' progress message: Connecting to service at https://VC_HOSTNAME/sdk 
106637 MM/DD/YYY HH:MM:SS AM/PM  1 3 0 15204 8080 0 NSR_HOSTNAME nsrdisp_nwbg RAP notice job 'nsrvim' progress message: Starting session with infrastructure services daemon. 
106637 MM/DD/YYY HH:MM:SS AM/PM  1 3 0 15204 8080 0 NSR_HOSTNAME nsrdisp_nwbg RAP notice job 'nsrvim' progress message: Querying for inventory at https://VC_HOSTNAME/sdk 
106637 MM/DD/YYY HH:MM:SS AM/PM  1 3 0 15204 8080 0 NSR_HOSTNAME nsrdisp_nwbg RAP notice job 'nsrvim' progress message: Querying for categories from infrastructure services daemon. 
106637 MM/DD/YYY HH:MM:SS AM/PM  1 3 0 15204 8080 0 NSR_HOSTNAME nsrdisp_nwbg RAP notice job 'nsrvim' progress message: Updating NSR hypervisor resource 'VC_HOSTNAME' 
106637 MM/DD/YYY HH:MM:SS AM/PM  1 3 0 15204 8080 0 NSR_HOSTNAME nsrdisp_nwbg RAP notice job 'nsrvim' progress message: Finished updating NSR hypervisor resource 'VC_HOSTNAME' 
106637 MM/DD/YYY HH:MM:SS AM/PM  1 3 0 15204 8080 0 NSR_HOSTNAME nsrdisp_nwbg RAP notice job 'nsrvim' progress message: nsrvim exiting on NSR_HOSTNAME (process 10852).

The same messaging appears when a VMware protection policy runs. 

Resolution

NetWorker 19.10 has introduced a new feature which allows the NetWorker backup administrator to tune the nsrvim frequency. This functionality was introduced by using a new environment variable on the NetWorker server. To use this environment variable, perform the following:


1. Upgrade the NetWorker server to 19.10.0.0 (or later). https://www.dell.com/support/home/product-support/product/networker/drivers

NOTE: NetWorker 19.13 introduces improvements, using a newer VMware API for inventory processes to reduce load on both NetWorker and vCenter servers.

2. Create the NSRVIM_TIME_INTERVAL on the NetWorker server. Adding or changing this variable requires a nsrd restart. To create the environment variable, perform the following depending on the operating system of the NetWorker server:

Linux:

1. Modify (or create) the file /nsr/nsrrc: 
sudo vi /nsr/nsrrc

2. Add the following lines to the file:

NSRVIM_TIME_INTERVAL=60
export NSRVIM_TIME_INTERVAL
NOTE: The max time interval is 60 minutes; if a value of more than 60 minutes is specified, then 60 minutes is used. The minimum interval is 15 minutes; if a value of less than 15 minutes is specified, 15 minutes is used.

3. Restart the NetWorker server services:

sudo systemctl restart networker


Microsoft Windows:

1. Open Control Panel, then click System and Security, then click System.
2. Click Advanced System Settings.

control panel system tab

3. From System Properties, click Environment Variables.
4. Under System Variables, click New:

Advanced system properties

5. In the Variable Name field, enter: NSRVIM_TIME_INTERVAL
6. In the Variable Value field, enter a number from 15 to 60 (this number corresponds to minutes).

new system variable

NOTE: The max time interval is 60 minutes; if a value of more than 60 minutes is specified, then 60 minutes is used. The minimum interval is 15 minutes; if a value of less than 15 minutes is specified, 15 minutes is used.

7. Reboot the server.
 

Additional Information

Affected Products

NetWorker

Products

NetWorker Family, NetWorker Series
Article Properties
Article Number: 000206095
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 04 Dec 2025
Version:  6
Find answers to your questions from other Dell users
Support Services
Check if your device is covered by Support Services.