VMFS datastores missing on ESXi host

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi 8.0

Issue/Introduction

In the vCenter web client:

• Under ESXi > Datastores, certain datastores are missing.
• Under ESXi > Configure > Storage Devices, some storage devices show the Operational State as Dead or Error.

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi 8.x

Cause

The issue is caused by a vmhba adapter being down. When the vmhba adapter goes down, the ESXi host loses access to the connected storage devices, resulting in missing VMFS datastores.

Resolution

To verify whether the issue is caused by a vmhba adapter being down:

1. Log in to the vCenter web client.
2. Select the affected ESXi host > Configure > Storage Devices.
3. Select the storage device with the Operational State shown as Dead or Error.
4. Click Paths to identify which vmhba is used to connect the device.
5. Log in to the ESXi host via SSH.
   Note: The vmhba status should be verified from the command line, as the storage adapter status in the vCenter Web Client incorrectly appear as link up in some cases.
6. Run the following command to check the Link State of the vmhba:
   
   # esxcli storage core adapter list
   
   
7. If the Link State of the vmhba is link-down, contact the hardware vendor to investigate.