I was trying to install a vCenter for a lab on top of a ESXi 6.7 using the FREE license. Have verified several things:

– NTP was in place

– DNS records all good

– Enough resources

– Etc…

I realized that when using the FREE license on the ESXi hosting the vCenter appliance, seems that the installer can´t set the IP of the VCSA remotely using the OVA features. I just added a trial license back to the ESX and the installation worked.

I could not find any documentation on this: Software Requirements for the vCenter Server Appliance

Hope this helps,

Marcelo