VMFS_HEARTBEAT_FAILURE is a warning message that appears in the VMkernel log (/var/log/vmkernel.log) of an ESXi host in a VMware vSphere environment. This message indicates that there has been a failure in the heartbeat mechanism used by the host to monitor the connectivity with the shared storage (usually a VMFS datastore) to which it is attached.

Here’s what VMFS_HEARTBEAT_FAILURE means and how to troubleshoot it:

Meaning of VMFS_HEARTBEAT_FAILURE: The heartbeat mechanism is a critical component of VMware High Availability (HA) and other features like Fault Tolerance (FT). It helps the ESXi hosts to detect whether they have lost connectivity to the shared storage where VMs’ virtual disks are located. The loss of heartbeat connectivity could be an indication of storage connectivity issues or problems with the storage array itself.

Troubleshooting VMFS_HEARTBEAT_FAILURE: When you encounter VMFS_HEARTBEAT_FAILURE, you should follow these steps to troubleshoot and resolve the issue:

1. Check Storage Connectivity: Verify the connectivity between the ESXi hosts and the shared storage. Ensure that the storage array is powered on, and all necessary network connections are functioning correctly.
2. Check Storage Multipathing: If your ESXi hosts use multiple paths (multipathing) to connect to the shared storage, check the status of all paths. Ensure that there are no broken paths, dead paths, or network connectivity issues.
3. Check Storage Array Health: Examine the health and status of the storage array. Look for any error messages or warnings on the storage management interface.
4. Review Network Configuration: Check the network configuration of the ESXi hosts, including physical network adapters, virtual switches, and port groups. Verify that the network settings are correct and properly connected.
5. Monitor VMkernel Log: Continuously monitor the VMkernel log (/var/log/vmkernel.log) on the ESXi hosts for any recurring VMFS_HEARTBEAT_FAILURE messages or related storage errors.
6. Restart Management Agents: If the issue persists, you can try restarting the management agents on the affected ESXi host using the following command:shellCopy code/etc/init.d/hostd restart && /etc/init.d/vpxa restart
7. Check ESXi Host Health: Use vSphere Client or vCenter Server to check the overall health status of the ESXi host. Ensure that there are no hardware-related issues or other critical alerts.
8. Contact Support: If the problem persists after trying the above steps, and if it is impacting the availability of VMs, consider contacting VMware Support for further assistance and investigation.

Remember to always review the entire context of the log messages and consult VMware’s official documentation and support resources for specific guidance on interpreting and troubleshooting log messages in your vSphere environment. Regularly monitoring and maintaining your VMware infrastructure will help prevent and address potential issues proactively.