Please note that we are currently seeing a problem with
VMware ESX and FCoE deployments. Following are the details of the problem.
What is the problem
VMWare ESX servers may fail to
establish FCoE sessions with storage devices when Software FCoE adapter
capability is enabled on the servers. When CNA/NIC modules that support
partial FCoE offload (Broadcom and Intel only) are used, VMware ESX server’s
Software FCoE adapter has to be enabled to access LUNs over FCoE. ESX’s
Software FCoE adapter has a software defect that triggers the FCoE connectivity
problems when connected to the S5000.
How does it impact the customer environment
VMware ESX servers may take a long
time or fail to connect to storage devices after rebooting the S5000, the
server, or disabling/enabling the interfaces between the server and the S5000.
Who gets impacted by this problem
Any customer with the following environment will get
impacted.
-
VMware ESX server with Broadcom or Intel CNA
connecting to the S5000 either directly or through MXL/IOA (FSB).
This issue does not affect VMWare ESX servers deployed with
QLogic or Emulex CNAs, which have hardware FCoE offload capability enabled by
default.
What is being done
Dell Networking engineering team is actively engaged with
VMware to fix this issue. VMware support has already reproduced and
acknowledged that this is a problem with ESX 5.x. Furthermore, they have
forwarded the problem to VMware engineering for a fix. So far VMware has not
given us an expected time to provide the fix.
What is the recommendation
We are fully engaged with VMware to resolve this issue.
However, until the issue is resolved by VMware, we will have to pursue the
following options.
-
Any FCoE deployments using VMware ESX, please
use QLogic or Emulex CNA instead of Broadcom or Intel.
o Also,
please ensure that there is a case open for it with Dell support and VMware
support.
-
If the customer does not have VMware ESX servers
then it is ok to use Broadcom or Intel CNAs in the environment.
Saleem Muhammad
Dell | Product Management
5480
Great America Parkway | Santa Clara, CA 95054
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