Replication fails with error "Failed to validate VA_NAME as a valid virtual appliance" (4378992)

Replication fails with the following error message:

Error: Failed to validate VA_NAME as a valid virtual appliance.
Please verify the root password or select another virtual appliance.

Additionally, attempts to deploy the Virtual Appliance (VA) fail during the disk reconfiguration step with the following error:

Reconfiguring Virtual Appliance disks
Error: -1 - An unknown error has occurred

This issue occurs when specific Windows Security Policies are enabled on the system. Specifically:

• Windows Defender SmartScreen

• System cryptography: Use FIPS compliant algorithms for encryption, hashing, and signing

These policies are not supported for Virtual Appliance deployment and validation operations.

Disable the following Windows Security Policies on the system where the Virtual Appliance is being managed:

1. Windows Defender SmartScreen

   • Open the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)

   • Navigate to:
     Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer

   • Locate Configure Windows Defender SmartScreen and set it to Disabled

2. System cryptography: Use FIPS compliant algorithms for encryption, hashing, and signing

   • Navigate to:
     Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies > Security Options

   • Locate System cryptography: Use FIPS compliant algorithms for encryption, hashing, and signing

   • Set it to Disabled

Apply the Changes

After disabling the policies:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:

    

   gpupdate /force

2. Reboot the system to ensure all settings take full effect.

ℹ️ A reboot is required because the FIPS policy modifies system-level cryptographic libraries, which only reinitialize on system startup. This ensures vRanger can properly validate and interact with the Virtual Appliance.