Issue configuring software iSCSI - The selected physical network adapter is not associated with VMkernel with compliant teaming and failover policy
search cancel

Issue configuring software iSCSI - The selected physical network adapter is not associated with VMkernel with compliant teaming and failover policy

book

Article ID: 308220

calendar_today

Updated On:

Products

VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:
  • You have set up what you believe is an appropriate iSCSI port group (or port groups).
  • When you attempt to add Network Adapters under Storage Adapters > iSCSI software adapter > Properties > Network Configuration, you see this error in a pop-up window:

    Only VMkernel adapters compatible with the iSCSI port binding requirements and available physical adapters are listed.

    If a targeted VMkernel adapter is not listed, go to Host > Configuration > Networking to update its effective teaming policy.

  • If you click on the vmnic that you are planning on binding, you see this message in the bottom portion of the window:

    The selected physical network adapter is not associated with VMkernel with compliant teaming and failover policy. VMkernel network adapter must have exactly one active uplink and no standby uplinks to be eligible for binding to the iSCSI HBA.


Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi 5.0
VMware vSphere ESXi 5.5
VMware vSphere ESXi 5.1

Cause

The issue occurs because iSCSI port binding in ESXI 5.x requires that there can only be one vmnic configured as Active Adapter for the iSCSI portgroup. Other vmnics must be set to Unused.

Resolution

For example, a typical vSwitch setup that yields this error:

vSwitch with two NICs, e.g. vmnic2 and vmnic3
iSCSI Port Group 1 --> vmnic2 active, vmnic3 standby
iSCSI Port Group 2 --> vmnic3 active, vmnic2 standby
The above portgroups cannot contain standby adapter or multiple active adapters for iSCSI binding to work.
To resolve this issue, modify the status of the vmnic adapters.
  1. Log in to vSphere Client.
  2. Click on the ESXi 5.x host to select it.
  3. Click the Configuration tab.
  4. Under Hardware, click Networking.
  5. Click Properties for the vSwitch.
  6. In the vSwitch Properties dialog box, click the Portgroup containing the iSCSI vmkernel adapter.
  7. Click Edit.
  8. In the Portgroup Properties dialog box, click the NIC Teaming tab.
  9. Select Override switch failover order

    Note
    : The vmnic adapters are now editable.

  10. Move down the standby adapters or the second Active Adapter to Unused Adapters.

    Note: Only one vmnic should be under Active Adapters.

  11. Click OK.
  12. Repeat the process for each additional iSCSI portgroups. Ensure you use alternate vmnics as Active and move the rest to Unused.
You can now add each active adapter. After you add each active adapter, the adapters are appropriately bound.


Additional Information