Error: The operation is not supported on the object.

Symptoms:

• When attempting to delete a content library through the vCenter UI, the error message “The operation is not supported on the object” appears.
• The backing datastore for the Content Library becomes inaccessible after the datastore has been unmounted or removed from hosts.

Product: VMware vCenter Server 8.0.x

Steps to Resolve:

1. Connect to the vCenter Database
   Use the psql tool to connect to the vCenter Server Appliance (VCSA) database:
   bash

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   # /opt/vmware/vpostgres/current/bin/psql -d VCDB -U postgres

2. Find the Content Library Storage ID
   Query the database to locate the storage ID associated with the Content Library using its ID:
   bash

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   # select * from cl_library_storage where library_id = '<ID from step 1>';

3. Delete Content Library Entries
   Using the Content Library ID and the Storage ID obtained in step 2, delete the entries related to the Content Library:
   bash

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   # delete from cl_library_storage where library_id = '<ID from step 1>';
# delete from cl_storage where id = '<storage_id from step 2>';
# delete from cl_library where name = '<cl_name>';

4. Exit psql Command Line
   To exit the psql session, type:
   bash

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   # \q

5. Restart vCenter Services
   Restart the vCenter services to apply changes and verify that the Content Library no longer appears in the vSphere Web UI:
   bash

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   # service-control --stop --all && service-control --start --all


After performing these steps, the deleted Content Library should no longer show up in the vSphere Web UI.