The NSX UI reports the ESXi host transport node status as 'Degraded', although all associated underlying services and configuration are showing as 'UP'.

Products

• VMware NSX
• VMware vSphere ESXi
• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

• In an NSX environment, one or more ESXi host Transport Nodes display a 'Degraded' status. However, upon reviewing the node details, all underlying components and services report an 'UP' state.
• Host status reporting it as "Degraded".

• View Details shows everything as green and UP.

• Physical uplinks shows up and connected status:

• NSX manager log of /var/log/proton/nsx-common-dashboard.log may report entries similar to the following:
  
  "recommended_action" : "Check the physical NICs' status of uplinks on hosts. 1. In the NSX UI navigate to Fabric | Nodes | Transport Nodes | Host Transport Nodes. 2. In the Host Transport Nodes list, check the Node Status column. Find the Transport node with the degraded or down Node Status. 3. Select <transport node> | Monitor. Check the status details of the bond(uplink) which is reporting degraded or down. To avoid a degraded state, ensure all uplink interfaces are connected and up regardless of whether they are in use or not.",     

• Similar errors will also be reported in the ESXi, if there are no uplinks associated with the VDS (Path: Login to vSphere UI--> Go to the problematic ESXi host-->Configure--> virtual Switches.).

• A 'Degraded' status may be reported in the NSX UI if the ESXi Transport Node is configured with a virtual vmnic for vUSB0 and experiences a vUSB connection "down".

Environment

VMware NSX

VMware vCenter Server

VMware vSphere ESXi

Cause

• NSX requires all configurations to remain intact on the system for effective health monitoring. If a configuration status mismatch is detected, a degraded alarm status is expected.

Resolution

• Uplink Verification: Ensure that all configured uplinks on the ESXi host transport node are active and fully operational.
• Cleanup Unused Uplinks: Remove any faulty/ misconfigured uplinks from the Distributed Virtual Switch (DVS) post validating the configuration. These changes required host maintenance.
• vUSB0 Management: Delete the vUSB0 interface if in case it is not required within the environment. These changes required host maintenance.

Additional Information

If additional assistance is needed with troubleshooting, reach out to Broadcom support by creating a support case using the instructions at Creating and managing Broadcom support cases.

How to disable vusb0 in ESXi, if it is not being used.

Remove a Physical NIC from a vSphere Distributed Switch