Vmware Standalone Converter Unable To Query The Live Linux Source Machine Full [ Desktop EASY ]

SELinux in enforcing mode can block the Converter agent’s execution.

sudo setenforce 0

If the conversion works, you’ll need to create a policy later. Don’t keep SELinux disabled permanently.

From the Windows machine running Converter, test SSH access: SELinux in enforcing mode can block the Converter

ssh -v root@<linux_source_ip>

Ensure:

I recently hit this error with Ubuntu 22.04. Root SSH worked, but the converter still failed. The culprit? /bin/sh → dash. Changing root’s shell to /bin/bash solved it immediately. If the conversion works, you’ll need to create

lsof | grep /dev/sda – if a process holds the disk open (e.g., old NFS lock, fsck), reboot or stop the service.

Find the PermitRootLogin directive. It is often set to prohibit-password or no. Change it to yes. Ensure: I recently hit this error with Ubuntu 22

PermitRootLogin yes

After deploying the agent, Converter communicates back to the Converter server on a dynamic high port (typically TCP/443 or 902 for SSL, and an ephemeral port range). If the Linux source has an outbound firewall (iptables/nftables) or an intermediate network firewall, this can break the query.

Check:

When VMware Standalone Converter reports “Unable to query the live Linux source machine,” it means the Converter cannot successfully connect to or retrieve system information from the Linux source. Causes include authentication/permission problems, SSH configuration or connectivity issues, missing required services/utilities on the source, incompatible OS or kernel, or Converter bugs. The steps below diagnose and resolve the problem and offer workarounds.

If you are trying to convert a container host, Docker‑in‑Docker, or an appliance with overlay filesystems (aufs, overlay2), Converter cannot see the underlying block devices. Solution: Use the "VMware vCenter Converter Standalone for Linux" (a separate, deprecated helper) or clone the disk offline using a live CD.