Unexpected ESXi Host Panic (PSOD) in qedentv_ens_burst_rx with NSX-T Enhanced Datapath (ENS)

Products

• VMware NSX
• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

You observe an unexpected ESXi host panic (PSOD) during normal operations. The server version is ESXi 8.0.3U3i (P08).

The purple diagnostic screen or vmkernel logs display a backtrace similar to the following:

@BlueScreen: #PF Exception 14 in world 2100469:EnsNetWorld- IP 0x4200294accb4 addr 0x4521c38ca000

2026-07-02T19:04:14.421Z cpu42:2100469)0x4539feb1bc90:[0x4200294accb4]qedentv_ens_burst_rx@(qedentv)#<None>+0x9c stack: 0x4539feb1bdab
2026-07-02T19:04:14.421Z cpu42:2100469)0x4539feb1bd30:[0x42002a3bd43d]rte_port_uplink_reader_rx@(nsxt-ens-24302014)#<None>+0x13a stack: 0x450188801340
2026-07-02T19:04:14.422Z cpu42:2100469)0x4539feb1bdf0:[0x42002a4173de]EnsProcessInPortsIntr@(nsxt-ens-24302014)#<None>+0x6e7 stack: 0x45019acfa240
2026-07-02T19:04:14.422Z cpu42:2100469)0x4539feb1bf00:[0x42002a424568]Ens_NetWorldRun@(nsxt-ens-24302014)#<None>+0x69 stack: 0x703e5a
2026-07-02T19:04:14.423Z cpu42:2100469)0x4539feb1bf40:[0x42002a433fb1]EnsNetWorldCallback@(nsxt-ens-24302014)#<None>+0x296 stack: 0x4501887b1000
2026-07-02T19:04:14.423Z cpu42:2100469)0x4539feb1bfa0:[0x4200281a00bc]vmkWorldFunc@vmkernel#nover+0x31 stack: 0x4200281a00b8
2026-07-02T19:04:14.423Z cpu42:2100469)0x4539feb1bfe0:[0x4200286dde22]CpuSched_StartWorld@vmkernel#nover+0xbf stack: 0x0
2026-07-02T19:04:14.423Z cpu42:2100469)0x4539feb1c000:[0x42002814556f]Debug_IsInitialized@vmkernel#nover+0xc stack: 0x0

Affected Environment Details:

• Driver: qedentv (e.g., version 3.40.36.0-1OEM.700.1.0.15843807)
• Firmware: Versions such as mfw 8.57.0.0 storm 8.57.2.0
• NIC Hardware: QLogic FastLinQ QL41xxx series (e.g., Marvell QL41232)
• Server Platform: Lenovo Think System SR655 or similar hardware vendors

The ESXi server is running on an outdated NIC driver and/or firmware. 

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi

VMware NSX

Cause

This issue occurs due to an interaction between the QLogic qedentv network driver and the NSX-T Enhanced Datapath (ENS). Specifically, outdated driver versions may encounter issues where transmit memory buffers (mbufs) miss completion, leading to a host panic during packet receive operations when interfacing with the ENS uplink reader.

Resolution

To resolve the issue, contact your hardware vendor and update the network driver and firmware to a version certified for your current ESXi release.

1. Identify your current hardware details. For instructions, see Determining network/storage firmware and driver version in ESXi.
2. Navigate to the Broadcom Compatibility Guide (HCL) to locate the minimum required driver and firmware for ESXi 8.0.3 and higher.
3. Contact your hardware vendor (e.g., Lenovo) to obtain the latest certified firmware and driver package.
4. Apply the updates to all affected ESXi hosts.

Fixed in releases certified for ESXi 8.0 and higher. See Download Broadcom products and software for steps to download these updates.

If the issue reoccurs after you have successfully updated the NIC driver and firmware to the latest certified versions, please open a support case with Broadcom for further investigation.

Additional Information

Note: If the issue reoccurs after you have successfully updated the NIC driver and firmware to the latest certified versions, collect the ESXi support bundle and open a support case with Broadcom for further investigation. 
KB: Creating and managing Broadcom support cases