PowerPath for Linux 6.2: A dead path can be placed in autostandby.
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Symptoms
An FC/iSCSI link is not usually thought to be flaky while it's down, but PowerPath can mark it flaky long after the link is down
- Paths went dead
May 12 14:42:12 w40ktkys3 kernel: Error:Mpx:Path Bus 3 Tgt 0 Lun 1 to CETV21xxx00020 is dead.
May 12 14:42:12 w40ktkys3 kernel: Error:Mpx:Path Bus 3 Tgt 0 Lun 10 to CETV21xxx00020 is dead.
May 12 14:42:12 w40ktkys3 kernel: Error:Mpx:Path Bus 3 Tgt 0 Lun 0 to CETV21xxx00020 is dead.
May 12 14:42:12 w40ktkys3 kernel: Error:Mpx:Bus 3 to VNX CETV21xxx00020 port SP B1 is dead.
- Paths were moved in the asb:iopf state while the link is down.
May 12 14:57:22 w40ktkys3 kernel: Info:Mpx:Path Bus 3 Tgt 1 Lun 1 to VNX ID CETV21xxx00020 is set to asb:iopf.
May 12 14:57:22 w40ktkys3 kernel: Info:Mpx:Path Bus 3 Tgt 1 Lun 1 moved to iopf with following error sequence
Cause
This is how PowerPath works --- PowerPath issues the SCSI Inquiry command periodically to test a path, and its failure can be accumulated to determine the flakiness while a link is down.
Resolution
Once the path is determined flaky, the path mode stays in the autostandby until the aging period expires or powermt set autostandby=reinitialize runs.
Additional Information
See KB336296/428287 for what asb:iopf means.
https://support.emc.com/kb/336296
What does asb:iopf stand for in powermt display dev=all?
https://support.emc.com/kb/428287
PowerPath shows asb:iopf
Article Properties
Article Number: 000171056
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 17 Oct 2025
Version: 3
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