IP SLA Monitor service failed to start after upgrading due to "System.FormatException: An invalid IP address was specified."

11/19/2018 6:55 PM

5/13/2026 3:20 PM

 IP SLA Monitor service (VNQM) failed to start.  In the IPSLA BusinessLayer log, it will show these error messages:

ERROR BusinessLayer.Plugin (null) - IP SLA Monitor service [Specified Polling Engine] failed to start.
System.FormatException: An invalid IP address was specified.
IP SLA Monitor service failed to start, An invalid IP address was specified.
Detail:
Plugin "VNQM Business Layer" failed to start on [Specified Polling Engine]. Please restart the Module Engine service on [Specified Polling Engine].

VoIP & Network Quality Manager

• Either a dll was improperly placed in the correct directory or in an additional directory, or the voipjobinfotable has duplicate entries.
• Error in the ipsla.businesslayer.log is indicative that it is attempting to process a job that is either missing or duplicated from the voipjobinfo table in the database.

Within the VoipJobInfo table there should only be one VoipJobTypeID = 100 for each Polling Engine. So, if it is a single poller environment, you should only see on entry with VoipJobTypeID = 100.

 

Another cause are the IP addresses with leading zeroes in NodesData table:

Resolution 1:

For the issue regarding "An invalid IP address was specified" when investigating the "VNQM Business Layer" failed to start on [Specified Polling Engine]. Please restart the Module Engine server on [Specified Polling Engine]:

1. Find the specified polling engine's EngineID from the Engines table and make a note.
2. Go to the NodesData table and search for all Nodes on that EngineID.
3. Find the Node with the missing IP address.
   • These nodes either need a valid IP set or the node needs to be deleted.

 

Resolution 2:

1) Correct the IP addresses in NodesData table by running SQL query below:

-- Scripts are not supported under any SolarWinds support program or service.
-- Scripts are provided AS IS without warranty of any kind. SolarWinds further
-- disclaims all warranties including, without limitation, any implied warranties
-- of merchantability or of fitness for a particular purpose. The risk arising
-- out of the use or performance of the scripts and documentation stays with you.
-- In no event shall SolarWinds or anyone else involved in the creation,
-- production, or delivery of the scripts be liable for any damages whatsoever
-- (including, without limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business
-- interruption, loss of business information, or other pecuniary loss) arising
-- out of the use of or inability to use the scripts or documentation.

UPDATE NodesData 
SET IP_Address = '10.33.35.43' 
WHERE IP_Address = '10.33.35.043';

UPDATE NodesData 
SET IP_Address = '10.33.35.45' 
WHERE IP_Address = '10.33.35.045';

*NOTE: Replace the IP addresses based on what is found in NodesData table

2) And also, run the query below:

-- Scripts are not supported under any SolarWinds support program or service.
-- Scripts are provided AS IS without warranty of any kind. SolarWinds further
-- disclaims all warranties including, without limitation, any implied warranties
-- of merchantability or of fitness for a particular purpose. The risk arising
-- out of the use or performance of the scripts and documentation stays with you.
-- In no event shall SolarWinds or anyone else involved in the creation,
-- production, or delivery of the scripts be liable for any damages whatsoever
-- (including, without limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business
-- interruption, loss of business information, or other pecuniary loss) arising
-- out of the use of or inability to use the scripts or documentation.

UPDATE NodesData
SET IP_Address = LTRIM(RTRIM(IP_Address))