"Duplicate name 'vmw.####.json' entry in cache" alert on ESXi host

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

• In ESXi Host -> Monitor -> Events tab, the alarm "Duplicate name 'vmw.#####.json' entry in cache." triggers frequently.
• In  /var/lib/vmware/osdata/healthd, you can find the below files created (the number of files may differ):
  
  • vmw.#####-2.json
  • vmw.#####-1.json
  • vmw.#####-0.json

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi 7.x
VMware vSphere ESXi 8.x

Cause

• The vmw.####.json files are present in OSDATA partition and the OSDATA partition is corrupt.
• Below are the log snippets found in /var/run/log/vmkwarning.log

YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SSZ Wa(180) vmkwarning: cpu18:2099### opID=3970f###)WARNING: FS3: 636: VMFS volume <Datastore>/6303cc15-d9ac2982-962b-############ on t##.ATA_____DELLBOSS_VD_____________________________############:8 has been detected corrupt
YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SSZ Wa(180) vmkwarning: cpu60:2099### opID=86eac###)WARNING: FS3: 636: VMFS volume <Datastore>/6303cc15-d9ac2982-962b-############ on t##.ATA_____DELLBOSS_VD_____________________________############:8 has been detected corrupt
YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SSZ Wa(180) vmkwarning: cpu60:2099### opID=86eac###)WARNING: FS3: 636: VMFS volume <Datastore>/6303cc15-d9ac2982-962b-############ on t##.ATA_____DELLBOSS_VD_____________________________############:8 has been detected corrupt


• To confirm the location of the OSDATA partition, run the below command:
  esxcli storage vmfs extent list

Resolution

• Check for issues with the device  t##.ATA_____DELLBOSS_VD_____________________________############:8. Engage the hardware vendor to inspect the device and replace it if a fault is identified.
  Note: The device where the Host is installed may vary based on the vendor.
  
  
• Reinstall ESXi on the affected server on a new/replaced device. ESXi reinstallation takes care of reformatting OSDATA volume.