Datastore creation failure in vSphere 8.0.3 due to iSCSI port group NIC teaming configuration

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Datastore creation fails with no error. The LUNS are visible to the host.

Environment

vSphere 8.0.3

Cause

Incorrect VMkernel adapter configuration was identified, caused by the presence of a standby vmnic in the iSCSI port group.

Resolution

vSwitch with two NICs, e.g. vmnic2 and vmnic3
iSCSI Port Group 1 --> vmnic2 active, vmnic3 standby
iSCSI Port Group 2 --> vmnic3 active, vmnic2 standby

The above portgroups cannot contain standby adapter or multiple active adapters for iSCSI binding to work.

 

 

To resolve this issue, modify the status of the vmnic adapters.

1. Log in to vSphere Client.
2. Click on the ESXi  host to select it.
3. Click the Configuration tab.
4. Under Hardware, click Networking.
5. Click Properties for the vSwitch.
6. In the vSwitch Properties dialog box, click the Portgroup containing the iSCSI vmkernel adapter.
7. Click Edit.
8. In the Portgroup Properties dialog box, click the NIC Teaming tab.
9. Select Override switch failover order
   
   Note: The vmnic adapters are now editable.
   
   
10. Move down the standby adapters or the second Active Adapter to Unused Adapters.
    
    Note: Only one vmnic should be under Active Adapters.
    
    
11. Click OK.
12. Repeat the process for each additional iSCSI portgroups. Ensure you use alternate vmnics as Active and move the rest to Unused.

 

Datastore creation is successfully and visible to the Host.