After enabling CHAP and rescanning the iSCSI adapter on the host, the datastores visible to the adapter become inaccessible

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:

When using ESXi with an independent hardware iSCSI adapter, you experience these symptoms:

• After enabling Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol (CHAP) on the iSCSI adapter and then rescanning the adapter on the host, the datastores that were visible to that adapter become inaccessible.
• CHAP is already enabled on the storage array.

Cause

This issue occurs because VMware supports Mutual CHAP authentication only for Software and Dependent hardware iSCSI adapters and not for Independent iSCSI adapters.

For more information, see Configuring CHAP Parameters for iSCSI or iSER Storage Adapters .

Resolution

To resolve this issue:

1. Disable the Mutual CHAP authentication method. For more information, see Set Up CHAP Credentials for iSCSI Initiator.
2. Check the Chap Security Level. The Use Chap option is not supported for Independent iSCSI adapter. Ensure to select Use CHAP unless prohibited by target as the Chap Security Level for Independent Hardware iSCSI initiators.
3. Verify and ensure that the CHAP Name and secret key are correct on both the storage array and the iSCSI initiator.
4. Perform a rescan on the adapter. The datastores should now be accessible.