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. Only esxi reboot solves 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

 

1. The host is using bnxtnet "async" 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

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