VM Freeze on ISCSI Datasore connected with certain versions of bnxtnet drivers

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:

1. Virtual Machines(VMs) Frozen and unreachable. Where an ESXi reboot remedies the issue 

2. vmkernel.log shows lines similar to: 

 vmkernel: cpu0:3682721)VSCSI: 3446: handle 15817106129953059(GID:8483)(vscsi0:1):Added handle (refCnt = 3) to vscsiResetHandleList vscsiResetHandleCount = 1
 vmkernel: cpu23:2097490)VSCSI: 3700: handle 15817106129953059(GID:8483)(vscsi0:1):processing reset for handle ... state 1381192707
 vmkernel: cpu1:2097490)VSCSI: 3700: handle 15817106129953059(GID:8483)(vscsi0:1):processing reset for handle ... state 1381192706
 vmkernel: cpu1:2097490)VSCSI: 3700: handle 15817106129953059(GID:8483)(vscsi0:1):processing reset for handle ... state 1381192706

 

• The host is using the "Async" version for the bnxtnet" driver of version 224.0.x.x or later for iSCSI uplinks .

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi 8.0

Cause

The Broadcom bnxtnet async driver version 224.0.x.x or later has a known packet leak issue.

Resolution

Broadcom has released new versions of bnxtnet and bnxtroce drivers containing the fix, starting with version 226.0.145.4-1.

• Please consult the VMware  Compatibility Guide or your OEM for the driver and firmware version matching the specific NIC model.

Additional Information

VM can also experience network loss, encountered from this issue. 

• https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article/338064/vms-experience-full-or-partial-loss-of-n.html