Error: Storage connectivity loss during SAN failover on ESXi 7.0 U3 using Dell SAS HBA

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

• ESXi host running version 7.0 Update 3 (7U3) loses connectivity to SAN storage during controller failover or restart testing.
• Datastores become inaccessible, impacting virtual machine communication and potentially causing guest OS hangs.
• The environment typically utilizes a Dell 12Gbps SAS HBA with the lsi_msgpt3 driver.
• Host logs verify communication faults at the driver level during storage path loss events.

Environment

• Hypervisor: VMware vSphere ESXi 7.0 U3
• Hardware: Dell PowerEdge servers equipped with Dell 12Gbps SAS HBA
• Storage: Dell SC Series (Compellent) using Front-End (FE) SAS connectivity
• Driver: lsi_msgpt3 version 17.00.12.00-1 (stock ESXi 7U3 driver)

Cause

A driver and firmware compatibility regression has been identified in the stock lsi_msgpt3 driver on ESXi 7.0 U3. When path loss occurs during SAN activity—such as a sequential reboot of storage controllers—the host driver fails to dynamically re-scan target LUNs with an ID greater than 0. This behavior leads to immediate data unavailability for all non-zero LUNs.

Resolution

o resolve this connectivity issue, customers must coordinate with their hardware vendor to apply a certified driver and firmware baseline.

1. Contact Hardware Vendor Support: Engage Dell Storage Support to identify the certified baseline configuration for your specific hardware model and storage array.
2. Verify Upgrade or Rollback Options: Work with the vendor to determine if a certified forward upgrade path or a targeted rollback of the storage driver (e.g., version 17.00.10.00-1vmw) and HBA firmware (e.g., version 16.17.00.05) is required to remediate the rescan failure.
3. Avoid Full Hypervisor Downgrade: Restrict remediation actions to the specific storage components (driver/firmware) as recommended by the vendor. Broadcom recommends maintaining the current hypervisor build to avoid exposing the environment to previously resolved security vulnerabilities or software regressions associated with older ESXi versions.

Additional Information

• For further technical details and vendor-specific guidance, refer to: Dell SC Series: SAS FE Failover Issues When Upgrading to or on ESXi 7U3.
• To speak with a Broadcom representative, see Contact Support. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on your respective region.