While dumping the core to the netdump collector after a PSOD, the host PSODs again if the netdump configuration uses a vmkernel NIC connected to an ENS-enabled port.

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi 8.0

Issue/Introduction

When a host PSODs and Netdump collector is invoked, the system could encounter another PSOD (recursive panic PF Exception 14) if netdump is configured with a vmkernel NIC that is connected to an ENS-enabled port No dump file will be generated, remotely or locally

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi 7.0

VMware vSphere ESXi 8.0

VMware vSphere ESX 9.0

Cause

The netdump driver callbacks expect the device to be in native mode, which is not valid when ENS mode is enabled. This mismatch can cause a second PSOD and prevent the dump file from being written to the partition. 

 

Resolution

With ESX 9.01 Netdump will be skipped if it is configured with a vmkernel NIC that is connected to an ENS-enabled port. The dumps will be stored locally in this case.