Unable to create VMFS datastore on ESXi host

Applies to

Issue

• Unable to format VMFS6 Datastore, the process fails with the error:

Failed to create VMFS datastore test - Operation failed, diagnostics report: Unable to create Filesystem, please see VMkernel log for more details: Failed to create VMFS on device naa.600a0980xxxxxx124554d644f3459:1

• The lun is visible on the host after rescan, but cannot format it. 
• Ontap port shows low RX:

xxxl::> fcp adapter show -instance -node xxxl -adapter 2b
  (network fcp adapter show)    
   Status Monitoring Available: fa {Rx_Loss_of_Sig, Tx_Fault, Tx_Disable}
           SFF-8472 Compliance: 9
        Received Optical Power: 77.4 (uWatts)
    Is Received Power In Range: true
SFP Transmitted Optical Power: 613.6 (uWatts)
        Is Xmit Power In Range: true
                    DDM Status: 0