Missing expected iSCSI path due to CHAP authentication failure

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

A storage adapter does not appear in the paths, i.e. an ESXi host is missing an expected path to iSCSI datastores

CHAP authentication is configured for the iSCSI connections

/var/log/syslog.log has entries similar to:

iscsid[2098858]: Login failed to authenticate with target
iscsid[2098858]: discovery login to ###.###.###.### rejected: initiator error (02/01), non-retryable, giving up

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi 7.0.x
VMware vSphere ESXi 8.0.x

Cause

During login to the iSCSI target, the iSCSI initiator CHAP authentication attempt is rejected by the iSCSI target. 

Resolution

1) Ensure that CHAP is configured correctly within the vSphere UI.

See: 
Configuring CHAP Parameters for iSCSI or iSER Storage Adapters on ESXi Host

Note that iSCSI target IPs and iSCSI targets may have individual CHAP settings configured which override settings otherwise inherited from the adapter level. Incorrect override settings may be a factor where CHAP authentication succeeds for some targets but fails for others.  

2) If the CHAP configuration is configured correctly, please engage your storage vendor to investigate why the CHAP authentication is being failed by the target.