Cannot add a new storage to my esxi host (LUN disappeared)

[AhmedKamal_2014]

Hello everyone,

I used to add datastores before and this is the first time I encounter this problem. The only difference today that I have just installed Vcenter server and began to use it to manage my hosts (I am not sure if this has anything to do with my problem).

I am able to see all storage adaptors of this host but when I try to add new storage : at the "select a LUN to create a datastore or expand the current one" window:

I cannot see any of the LUNs to select one !!!!!

Even the storage devices attached to those LUNs are up and working, but when I try to add new storage I donnot see any of them.

Thank you for you help please see the photos

[a_p_]

Can you confirm that the new LUNs are presented to the host, i.e. do they show up when you select the appropriate Storage Adapter? Maybe a Rescan is required.

André

[AhmedKamal_2014]

I have done rescaning manytimes.

The thing that confusing me that when I browse "storage adaptors" I found everything is ok, but within the "add new storage" wizard, nothing to select from! (as attached photos)

[a_p_]

In the screen shots you posted, there's no LUN showing up. Can you confirm that you see the LUNs in the lower pane when you select the storage adapter(s).

André

[AhmedKamal_2014]

First of all guys thank you for being so helpful.

And Andre, I have more than one host all facing the same problem, I noticed in the first host that I can see the LUN for the SCSI adaptor but none of the fiber chaneels

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however the other host I can see one of the its two fiber channels ( most propably the one that is online)

the problem is during the add new storage wizard I see nothing at all , even those adaptors that seems up.

[a_p_]

To me this looks like either a zoning issue with the FC fabric, or a presentation issue on the storage array. Please confirm that the hosts (HBAs) are properly zoned and the correct zone configuration is enabled. Then take a look at the storage array and ensure the LUNs are presented to the ESXi hosts.

André

[AhmedKamal_2014]

Thanks Andre.

I am not sure how to check that but I tried the commands in the following link

VMware KB: No available Disk/LUNs showing in Add Storage Wizard

these 2 command lines retreived no output

cat /proc/scsi/qla*/* | grep -A16 "FC Port Information"

cat /proc/scsi/qla*/* | grep -A2560 "SCSI LUN Information"

and the other two lines told me "no such file or directory"

cat /proc/scsi/lpfc/* | grep "DID"

#egrep "vmhba[0-9]*:C[0-9]*:T[0-9]*:Lx" /var/log/vmkerne

[a_p_]

It's actually nothing you do on the vSphere side. The steps I mentioned have to be performed on the FC switch and/or the storage array.

André

[AhmedKamal_2014]

Well, I am gonna find out how to check that, but I wanted to make sure it has nothing to do with installing any drivers or so,, or a plugin for Vcenter.

I donnot know but installing Vcenter was the last thing I have done before I encounter this problem.

And by the way, if the problem is in the FC switch, why I cannot see the scsi adaptor?

And I also i wanted to mention that datastored connected to those same adaptors are seen and working to  my host.

I just cannot add an other storage on the same adaptor.

[a_p_]

>>> I donnot know but installing Vcenter was the last thing I have done before I encounter this problem.

vCenter has nothing to do with storage connectivity. This is something between the ESXi host and the storage system.

>>> And by the way, if the problem is in the FC switch, why I cannot see the scsi adaptor?

The FC HBA - i.e. the initiator - is what's installed in the ESXi host, so you'll see this even if you had no FC cables connected to it.

>>> And I also i wanted to mention that datastored connected to those same adaptors are seen and working to  my host.

>>> I just cannot add an other storage on the same adaptor.

Sorry, I don't understand this. Which adapters are you talking about? The ones in the ESXi host or the ones in the storage system? Do you connect the hosts directly to the storage system, or through a FC switch?

André