Troubleshooting MKS Connection Issues When Accessing Remote Console
Key Notes
- Check firewall settings for port 902.
- Ensure the ESXi host is in maintenance mode when migrating.
- Verify username and password for correctness.
Overcoming MKS Connection Challenges in VMware Remote Console
When attempting to connect to the VMware Remote Console, you may encounter a frustrating MKS error that prevents you from establishing a connection. This guide will delve into the various instances of this error, providing comprehensive solutions to ensure smooth connectivity. Read on to effectively troubleshoot and resolve these issues.
Comprehensive Solutions to the MKS Connection Error
Step 1: Resolve the MKS Pipe Error
If you see the error message “Unable to connect to the MKS: Could not connect to pipe \\.\pipe\vmware-authdpipe within retry period, ” begin by checking your firewall settings. Ensure that port 902 is open for both inbound and outbound traffic, as it is the primary communication port for VMware Remote Console. To do this:
Pro Tip: Access User -> TCP/UDP 902 -> vCenter to verify your configurations.
Additionally, you may disable the firewall rules by navigating to Networking -> Firewall Rules in your VMware Host Client, selecting the necessary connection, and setting it to Disabled.
Step 2: Address Internal Errors
Internal MKS errors can appear if an ESXi host is not placed into maintenance mode during a migration. To remedy this, follow the same troubleshooting steps as outlined earlier. If those fail, upgrade your ESXi to version 6.0 Update 2 or later. As an alternative when updating isn’t feasible, migrate the VM to another ESXi host to refresh the VMX/MKS SSL cache.
Pro Tip: If migrating does not resolve the issue, consider rebooting the ESXi host after powering off the affected virtual infrastructure (VI).
Step 3: Fix Login Credential Errors
In cases where the error “Unable to connect to the MKS: Login (username/password) incorrect” appears, verify that the credentials being entered are accurate. Additionally, check for DNS issues by pinging the ESXi host by name and confirming a response. If there’s no response:
- Open File Explorer.
- Navigate to
C:\ProgramData\VMware\VMware Workstation. - Open the
Config.inifile with administrative privileges using Notepad. - Check that authd.client.port is set to “902”.
- If changes are made, save the file and reboot your system.
After rebooting, attempt to reconnect to the server.
Step 4: Solve Host Address Lookup Failures
For the error “Unable to connect to the MKS: Host address lookup for server failed: No such host is known, ” check if you can ping the ESXi host using its fully qualified domain name (FQDN).If the ping is unsuccessful, ensure you have a local DNS service with the proper entries, or modify the hosts file located at C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc to include the ESXi host domain name and IP address:
192.168.1.10 esxhost1 192.168.1.10 esxhost1.yourdomain
Save your changes and reboot your machine before testing the connection again.
Step 5: Manage Ticket Type Errors
If you receive the error “Unable to connect to the MKS: A specified parameter was not correct: ticketType, ” it’s likely due to an outdated VMware Remote Console (VMRC) version. To resolve this, update VMRC to the latest version and then attempt to reconnect.
Summary
Troubleshooting the “Unable to connect to the MKS” error in VMware Remote Console can be approached systematically. From verifying firewall settings to ensuring credentials are correct, following the outlined steps will help restore connectivity efficiently.
Conclusion
These comprehensive troubleshooting steps provide the necessary actions to resolve various MKS connection errors encountered with VMware Remote Console. By systematically ensuring that firewall settings, ESXi host states, login credentials, and connectivity settings are correct, you can effectively overcome these technical obstacles.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is an MKS connection failure in VMware?
MKS connection failures occur when the VMware Remote Console cannot establish a connection to the virtual machine’s display server, commonly caused by network, authentication, or configuration issues.
How can I successfully connect to the VMware Remote Console?
To connect, navigate to the URL https://vmc.vmware.com, sign in with your credentials, and you should have access to all your remote sessions without issues.