6.5.1

Problem
Typically, when a storage path experiences problems, an ESXi host sends the Test Unit Ready (TUR)
command to confirm that the path is down before initiating a path failover. However, if the TUR command
is unsuccessful and repeatedly returns a retry operation request
(VMK_STORAGE_RETRY_OPERATION), the host continues to retry the command without triggering the
failover. Usually, the following errors cause the host to retry the TUR command:
n
SCSI_HOST_BUS_BUSY 0x02
n
SCSI_HOST_SOFT_ERROR 0x0b
n
SCSI_HOST_RETRY 0x0c
Cause
To resolve this issue, you can use the enable|disable_action_OnRetryErrors parameter. When you
enable this parameter, the ESXi host can mark the problematic path as dead. After marking the path as
dead, the host can trigger the failover and use an alternative working path.
Solution
1 Set the parameter by running an appropriate command:
Action Command
Enable the ability to mark a
problematic path as dead
# esxcli storage nmp satp generic deviceconfig set -c
enable_action_OnRetryErrors -d naa.XXX
Disable the ability to mark a
problematic path as dead
# esxcli storage nmp satp generic deviceconfig set -c
disable_action_OnRetryErrors -d naa.XXX
2 Check the status of the parameter by running the following command:
# esxcli storage nmp device list
The following example output indicates that the parameter has been enabled:
naa.XXX
Device Display Name: DGC Fibre Channel Disk (naa.XXX)
Storage Array Type: VMW_SATP_CX Storage Array Type Device
Config: {navireg ipfilter action_OnRetryErrors}
The enable|disable_action_OnRetryErrors parameter is persistent across reboots.
You can also set this parameter when configuring an SATP claim rule:
# esxcli storage nmp satp rule add -t device -d naa.XXX -s VMW_SATP_EXAMPLE -P
VMW_PSP_FIXED -o enable_action_OnRetryErrors
vSphere Troubleshooting
VMware, Inc. 73