PowerFlex: Storage Traffic Incorrectly Routing over ESXi Management Network

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms   

• Storage traffic from the PowerFlex backend is observed flowing through the ESXi management network instead of the designated storage network interfaces using esxtop.

• Adjusting VMkernel NICs (MTU, provisioning settings, etc.) does not correct the issue.

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi 8.x

Cause

• This issue occurs when IP bindings between the ESXi host and the PowerFlex storage system are missing or incorrectly configured.

• PowerFlex uses a specialized driver model that encapsulates Fibre Channel over IP and requires explicit association with specific VMkernel interfaces for optimal storage traffic routing. If these bindings are absent or incorrectly configured on the storage side, ESXi cannot determine the correct interfaces for storage I/O.

• As a result, traffic defaults to the management VMkernel interface, bypassing the intended storage network paths.

• This behavior is not caused by an ESXi misconfiguration but stems from missing required bindings on the PowerFlex storage backend.

Resolution

• Engage the storage vendor to validate and correctly configure the necessary IP bindings between the ESXi hosts and the PowerFlex storage system.

• Ensure that all storage-bound VMkernel adapters are explicitly mapped and recognized by the PowerFlex backend.