WARNING: nfnic: <2>: fnic_queuecommand: ... Start driverIO abort timer"

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

•  host randomly locking up. causing HA reboots
• In the vmkernel.log we see:
  WARNING: nfnic: <2>: fnic_queuecommand: 951: Start driverIO abort timer
• We may also see abort requests:
  fnic_fdls_validate_and_get_frame_type: 4121: Receiving Abort Request from s_id: #####
• We may also see NMP claim failures:
  WARNING: ScsiPath: 7748: Plugin 'NMP' had an error (Failure) while claiming path 'vmhba#:C#:T#:L#'. Skipping the path.
WARNING: NMP: nmp_PspClaimPath:142: Claim of path 'vmhba#:C#:T#:L#' by plugin VMW_PSP_RR for device 'naa.######################' failed. Failure

Environment

8.x

Cause

This warning indicates that the nfnic driver has successfully queued a SCSI command to the HBA firmware but has initiated a "watchdog" abort timer because the command has not been immediately acknowledged.

Resolution

Validate Driver and Firmware Versions:

1. Log in to the ESXi host via SSH and run the following command to identify the currently installed nfnic driver version:
   esxcli software vib list | grep nfnic      Note:  The version number (e.g., 4.0.0.##)
2. Identity the firmware version.  If Cisco CIM provider is installed on ESXi, run below else verify via UCS manager:
   /opt/cisco/cim/bin/viccfg -s
3. Verify Compatibility (HCL)
   Consult the VMware I/O Compatibility Guide
4. If non-compliant, upgrade/downgrade the nfnic driver or the UCS Firmware bundle to align with supported configuration defined in the HCL.
5. If compliant, investigate the physical storage and consult your hardware Vendor for further assistance.