NetWorker Storage Node 7.3.3 on Linux RedHat 4 Update 9

Question

Hi support,

We have 2 machines with NetWorker Storage Node 7.3.3 with O.S. Red Hat 4, Update 9 (¿icmbck01¿) and Update 5 (¿icmbck02¿).
These machines are in SAN, where the O.S. can see 16 devices LTO Ultrium 2, but scsi commands (#inquire ¿l) do not show these devices.

Sometimes, scsi commands show 16 devices, sometimes show 3 devices or nothing.
To this SAN are connected more machines, whose work successfully with the devices. The difference is O.S., anything has Linux Red Hat.

The request is if Red Hat 4 supports Dinamyc Drive Storage (DDS) environment in a SAN with NetWorker.

/var/log/messages in both machines, when we launch #inquire ¿l, shows:

¿Feb 8 13:06:49 icmbck01 kernel: scsi0 (0,7,0) : reservation conflict
Feb 8 13:06:49 icmbck01 kernel: st3: Error 18 (sugg. bt 0x0, driver bt 0x0, host bt 0x0).
Feb 8 13:06:49 icmbck01 kernel: scsi0 (0,7,0) : reservation conflict
Feb 8 13:06:49 icmbck01 kernel: st3: Error 18 (sugg. bt 0x0, driver bt 0x0, host bt 0x0).¿

In Release Red Hat 5, we have seen the next:

Release Notes Updates
This section contains information that was not included in the distribution version of the Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 Release Notes
¿ CDs and DVDs do not automatically mount when you are logged in as root. As such, you will need to run the following command to mount a CD or DVD to /media:
¿ mount /dev/cdrom /media
¿ SCSI reservations are now supported. Note that SCSI reservations do not work with dm-multipath.

Do you think if we update to Red Hat 5, the machines ¿icmbck01¿ and ¿icmbck02¿ are going to work successfully in a SAN with DDS (dinamyc drive shared)?

Do we need other drivers for devices LTO Ultrium 2 for they work fine in Linux RedHat environment?

Have you happenned this 'issue' in Linux sometime?

Please, answer me as soon as possible.

Thanks very much.

Inma Bernabe.

ble1 · Answer

Only RHEL5 x64 with 7.4.1 as storage node has been tested by EMC according to support matrix. I assume those are all kernel 2.6.x versions?

fjsacristan · Answer

Hi Crvelin,My kernel is 2.6.9, but RedHat Enterprise Server is Release 4.Are the StorageNodes going to be able to work fine in SAN?Or, only are the StoradeNodes going to be able to work fine if RedHat 5 x64 is installed with NetWorker Storage Node 7.4.1?Thank you very much.Inma Bernabe

ble1 · Answer

You will need to have your server on 7.4SP1 if you plan to have storage node on that release too (I believe compatibility matrix even allows that, but I would not go that far). I thin the error you see might be due to kernel... I know things with NW are like day and night depending on kernel version you run...

fjsacristan · Answer

Hi Crvelin,In Compatibility Guide, RedHat 4 is supported with NetWorker 7.3.3., for this reason I think this environment has been checked and tested succesfully.I have opened a case with RedHat, for they study logs /var/log/messages 'reservation conflict'.Also, I am waiting for a drivers for devices LTO2 in Linux.When I know something I will inform to you.Thanks very much.Best regards.Inma Bernabe.

fjsacristan · Answer

Hi Crvelin,Error 'reservation conflict' has solved after install drivers IBM on Storage Node 'icmbck01'.But, if I launch #inquire -l, NetWorker only shows arm of library and disks, but does not show list of devices.Have you got any idea?In linux is there any file (= st.conf, lusbinfo.conf in Solaris) which tell to NetWorker the devices there is in environment?Please, it starts to be urgent.EMC does not answer.Thanks.

ble1 · Answer

stinit.def is on Linux. Check what device names do you use now under IBM drivers.

fjsacristan · Answer

Sorry Crvelin,Yes, this file is in both machines./sbin/I am going to watch his content.I tell you something.Thanks.

fjsacristan · Answer

Hi,/etc/stinit.def does not exist in machines Storage Node 'icmbck01' neither 'icbmck02'.Is necessary that this file exists?Thanks.Inma Bernabe

fjsacristan · Answer

Hi,Sorry, but I cannot open /sbin/stinit.I have created a copy of stinit in other path.I have opened this copy but only I can see special characters.Any idea?Thanks for you help.

ble1 · Answer

stinit is binary and configuration file is stinit.def AFAIK, there used to be line in installation guide for Linux stating this was mandatory on storage nodes.

fjsacristan · Answer

Hi,O.S. see the devices succesfully.But, when I launch #mt -f /deve/nst1 status, this command shows:[root@icmbck02 ># mt -f /dev/nst1 status/dev/nst1: Input/output errorWhy?I can see, from Backup Server (#sjirdtag) that this drive has a media mounted, wich, is working (backup).Thanks.

ble1 · Answer

sjirdtag will communicate with library and show you inventory... I/O is not something you should get with mt (device busy perhaps if in use, but not I/O error). No idea why do you get that.

ble1 · Answer

Check this out:http://www.tapecert.org/news/kernel_news.html

fjsacristan · Answer

Hi,After we have waited an answer about this issue of EMC, during weeks, we continue with this issue.The conclussion is that S.N. Linux and his Kernell are not compatible with other O.S. on DDS environment.I am waiting to EMC (Javier Elexpuru). He is trying to obtain the parameters, with which, EMC tested the compatibility between SW Storage Node NetWorker on Linux Red Hat 4. Regards.Inma Bernabe.

NetWorker

NetWorker Storage Node 7.3.3 on Linux RedHat 4 Update 9

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