Details

Initiating a file upload to either a content library or datastore, or attempting to deploy an OVF or OVA template, might result in the operation failing with an error:

The operation failed for an undetermined reason. Typically this problem occurs due to certificates that the browser does not trust. If you are using self-signed or custom certificates, open the URL below in a new browser tab and accept the certificate, then retry the operation.

https://target-ip

To resolve this issue follow the solutions below as per the scenario.

Solution 1:

1. From a client system Web browser, go to the base URL of the vCenter Server system or the vCenter Server Virtual Appliance without appending port numbers or ‘vsphere-client‘ extension.
   For example:
   https://vcenter.domain.com/
2. Click the Download trusted root CA certificates link at the bottom of the grey box on the right and download the file.
3. Change the extension of the file to .zip. The file is a ZIP file of all root certificates and all CRLs in the VMware Endpoint Certificate Store (VECS).
4. Extract the contents of the ZIP file. The result is a .certs folder that contains two types of files. Files with a number as the extension (.0, .1, and so on) are root certificates. Files with an extension that starts with an r (.r0,. r1, and so on) are CRL files associated with a certificate.
5. Install the certificate files as trusted certificates by following the process that is appropriate for your operating system.
   For most Microsoft Windows systems, you can follow the instructions at Manage trusted root certificates.

Solution 2: In some cases the serenity database becomes corrupt, reset serenity DB to resolve the issue following the below steps:

• In appliance:
  # service vsphere-client stop
  rm -rf /etc/vmware-vsphere-client/SerenityDB/serenity/*
  # service vsphere-client start
  
• In vSphere 6.5 and higher
  # service-control –stop vsphere-client
  rm -rf /etc/vmware-vsphere-client/SerenityDB/serenity/*
  # service-control –start vsphere-client
  
• In Windows:
  # cd <C:\Program Files\VMware\vCenter Server\bin>
  # service-control –stop vspherewebclientsvc
• Delete the contents of the folders below.
  <C:\programdata\vmware\vCenterServer\data\vSphere Web Client\SerenityDB\serenity>
  #service-control –start vspherewebclientsvc