> Source: [sk184856](https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/sk184856)

# sk184856 - VMware vCenter object connectivity test fails with an "Unknown Problem" error

| Property | Value |
|----------|-------|
| Solution ID | sk184856 |
| Date Created | 2026-03-30 |
| Last Modified | 2026-04-06 |
| Technical Level | General |
| Products | Security Management Server, Multi-Domain Security Management Server |
| Versions | R82.10, R82, R82.10, R82 |

## Symptoms

- After upgrading the Management Server from R81.20 or earlier to R82 / R82.10, when adding a new VMware vCenter (Data Center) object or testing connectivity to an existing one in SmartConsole, the connection test fails with the error: `"Unknown Problem"`.

## Cause

In R82 and R82.10, Check Point introduced stricter TLS certificate validation for third?party integrations  
During the connectivity test, the Management Server validates that the hostname configured in the vCenter object exactly matches the hostname presented in the vCenter TLS certificate CN (Common Name).  
If the CN does not match exactly, the validation fails and SmartConsole displays "Unknown Problem."

## Solution

1. Identify the hostname in the vCenter certificate

   1. Open the vCenter URL in a web browser.

   2. Click the icon next to **Connection is secure**, for example:

      ![](https://sc1.checkpoint.com/sc/SolutionsStatics/sk184856/DataCenter URL202603301251461.png)
   3. View the certificate details.

   4. Note the hostname listed in **Subject** \> **Common Name (CN)**

      ![](https://sc1.checkpoint.com/sc/SolutionsStatics/sk184856/InkedCertificate viewer_LI202603301253552.jpg)
2. Update the vCenter object in SmartConsole

   1. Open SmartConsole.

   2. Navigate to the **vCenter** / **Data Center** object.

   3. In the **Hostname** / **Server Name**field, enter the hostname exactly as it appears in the certificate CN.

      Example:

      `vcenter01.example.local`
3. Save the object and retest connectivity

   Click **Test Connection**. The connectivity test should now succeed.

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