Skip to main content
NetApp Knowledge Base

"nfs: server not responding" because gateway is not sending ARP responses to ONTAP

  1. Last updated
    May 5, 2025
  2. Save as PDF
Views:
73
Visibility:
Public
Votes:
0
Category:
ontap-9
Specialty:
nas
Last Updated:
5/5/2025, 12:29:29 PM

Applies to

  • ONTAP 9
  • NFS
  • ARP
  • Cisco ACI Fabric

Issue

  • Intermittently, NFS client host(s) logs nfs: server svm1 not responding, still trying while mounting a LIF(s) hosted on a specific ONTAP node(s)
  • Packet trace captured on ONTAP shows that
    • The gateway broadcasts ARP requests
    • The gateway stops broadcasting ARP requests
    • 20 minutes later,  ONTAP starts broadcasting ARP requests for the gateway
    • The gateway sends neither ARP responses, nor ARP requests
    • The NFS client sends a TCP SYN
    • ONTAP does not reply with a TCP SYN-ACK
    • The NFS client repeatedly retransmits the TCP SYN
      • The time stamps of these retransmissions coincide with when the client logs  nfs: server svm1 not responding, still trying
    • ONTAP does not reply with a TCP SYN-ACK
    • The gateway starts broadcasting ARP requests
    • ONTAP stops broadcasting ARP requests
    • The NFS client sends a TCP SYN
    • ONTAP does replies with a TCP SYN-ACK

 

Sign in to view the entire content of this KB article.

New to NetApp?

Learn more about our award-winning Support

NetApp provides no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or reliability or serviceability of any information or recommendations provided in this publication or with respect to any results that may be obtained by the use of the information or observance of any recommendations provided herein. The information in this document is distributed AS IS and the use of this information or the implementation of any recommendations or techniques herein is a customer's responsibility and depends on the customer's ability to evaluate and integrate them into the customer's operational environment. This document and the information contained herein may be used solely in connection with the NetApp products discussed in this document.