ESXi host PSOD (purple screen of death) PF Exception 14 in world <world>: lpfc_do_work IP 0x0 addr 0x0

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

ESXi host fails with recurring PSOD (purple screen of death) similar to below:

 

Multi Path Plugin (MMP) is configured in environment such as PowerPath

Environment

VMware ESXi 7.x
VMware ESXI 8.x

Cause

The PSOD occurs because the PowerPath plugin doesn't have handleLinkEvent() callback when lpfc driver had the plugin handle FC_FPIN_CONGESTION_NOTIFICATION event.

Resolution

• Check with storage vendor if the storage hba/path/switch configuration is valid and supported with the ESXi version & build
• Check with storage vendor if there is any underlying issue with storage
• Check if the PowerPath version had any FPIN events implemented, if there are no events temporarily disable the FC FPIN until an updated plugin has been provided by the storage vendor
  
  To deactivate FPIN: esxcli storage fpin info set -e=false
  
  No reboot is required, this should stop the PSOD from occurring until an updated PowerPath plugin is available. 
• If ESXi host is on version below 8.0 U3e, please upgrade to this version: PSOD on ESXI 8.0 U3 for world running 3rd Party Multi Path Plugin

Additional Information

Similar Knowledge Base article: PSOD on ESXI 8.0 U3 for world running 3rd Party Multi Path Plugin