Multiple shared datastores not visible on a single ESXi host

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

1. ESXi host displays only a single local VMFS datastore, while the remaining shared datastores are not visible. Other ESXi hosts connected to the same storage show all shared datastores correctly, which indicates that the behavior is isolated to one host.
   
   
2. Despite resetting the HBA adapters (vmhba# and vmhba#) and removing the host from the cluster followed by adding it back, the datastore visibility does not change and the issue continues to persist.

Environment

6.7.x

Cause

The issue occurs due to incorrect or missing storage connectivity between the affected ESXi host and the storage array. This is commonly related to WWPN zoning or LUN mapping not being configured correctly for that specific host.

 

Resolution

To resolve this issue, engage your storage vendor and validate the correct WWPN zoning and LUN mapping for the affected ESXi host on the storage side. After fixing the mappings, perform a storage rescan on the host to rediscover and restore access to all shared datastores.