Datastore not visible on ESXi host due to physical switch VLAN configuration after power outage

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

• An ESXi host is unable to access a previously connected datastore after a power outage.
• The datastore is visible and accessible to other hosts in the same cluster.
• Rescanning storage adapters does not resolve the issue.
• vmkping fails to communicate with the storage IP. vmkping -I vmk2 ##.##.##.##
• Packet captures show ARP packets leaving the ESXi host via the storage vmkernel uplink, but no response is received.
• Storage traffic fails specifically on one or more vmnics (e.g., vmnic3).

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi

Cause

After a power outage, the physical switch port configuration for the vmnic(s) used for storage traffic may not match the required VLAN settings or may have reverted to a default state that blocks storage traffic.

Resolution

1. Identify the specific vmnic(s) used for storage traffic on the affected ESXi host.
2. Perform a packet capture on the vmkernel interface used for storage to verify if traffic is leaving the host and if any responses are received.
3. Collaborate with the internal physical network team to verify the following on the physical switch ports connected to the host uplinks:
   • The VLAN configuration matches the storage network requirements.
   • The port is not in a 'shutdown' or 'error-disabled' state.
   • Trunking/Access mode settings are correct for the environment.
4. Once the physical switch port configuration is corrected, perform a storage rescan on the ESXi host to restore datastore visibility.

Additional Information

• If the issue persists after verifying physical network configurations, see Contact Broadcom support to speak with a Support Engineer.
• To download the latest software, visit Download Broadcom products, patches and software