VMWARE: Cannot delete a datastore from virtual center

Configuring an ESX host fails with the error: DestroyVmfsDatastore: can’t delete partition 1 on lun naa.5000cca216d1588 (1017104)
Symptoms

Unable to configure the ESX host
You see the error:

Error during the configuration of the host:DestroyVmfsDatastore: can’t delete partition 1 on lun naa.5000cca216d1588

A direct session to the ESX host does not resolve this issue

Resolution
This issue occurs if you are unable to delete the datastore of the ESX host.

To work around this issue, you must delete the partition from the command line.

To delete the partition:

Connect to the ESX host using an SSH session or ILO/DRAC.

Note: To access the command line on an ESXi host, you must enable Tech Support Mode. For more information, see Tech Support Mode for Emergency Support (1003677).

Warning: Tech Support Mode should only be used at the request of VMware technical support.

Run the command:

fdisk /vmfs/devices/disks/naa.<number>

Note: In this command, <number> is the NAA number displayed in the error message.
Press d.
Select partition 1.
Press w. You see the message:

The partition table has been altered!

Refresh the vmfs by running the following command in the SSH or ILO session:

vmkfstools –V

Refresh the VMware Infrastructure Client GUI.

VMWARE KB: 1017104