SBS 5.1 Freeze

[criticalUpdate]

Have a server that Freezes, It's Small Business 5.1 doesn't abend just freezes. Clients lock up. 500mb memory ML 350 about 25 uses.? Jeff

 

[Lou0686]

Hi,

Does the server run ok for a short period after the server is rebooted? I have seen this many times. This will happen when a server is low on free block. Purge the SYS volume using the Purge /all command from a DOS prompt while logged in as Admin on a workstation.

Lou

 

[criticalUpdate]

lou thanks for the info.

on the same server I noticed the message unable to compress message due to lack of disk space on SYS: So I started clearing out directories that need not be on sys:.

Anyways I think your probably right.

Jeff. Jeff

 

[networknick]

Hi

Hope some one can help. I am trying to troubleshoot a Netware server 5.0 Service Pack 6a that is freezing daily. The server will run fine then just stop. No abend log, console.log is usually corrupt (last few lines full of junk), cant ping the server, users get disconnected, you can not change the screen or enter debug mode! Only option is to turn off.

Spec is as follows (not my choice – customer insisted – no real issues other than not a branded box Compaq/HP etc..)

Supermicro Dual Processor Xeon board (one 1.8 XEON on board, hyperthreading disabled in BIOS) onboard Adaptec SCSI & RAID (on plug in card)
1Gb ram
500mb DOS partition – Caldera DOS
Mirrored SYS volume 4Gb
Mirrored DATA volume 12Gb (same pair of drives)
RAID 5 volume 70Gb (not NSS as I can’t mirror under 5.0 – tried as NSS still fails)
Additional SCSI controller to run internal DLT drive (Tekram – no problems in the past with these, onboard SCSI will not drive DLT)
Backup software – Arcserve 6.6 Sp4 (very reliable usually)
3com Server Gigabit card
Netgear switch with 1Gb uplink port
Onboard 10/100 lan card
Server on APC UPS – so not power related.

Tried the following (runs fine in the office under heavy testing, just fails on site!) Must be external trigger???
Used internal 10/100 lan card
Changed the Gigabit card from Netgear to 3com
Ran without the Raid card ok – just could not see the large volume obviously
Removed IP from the server, just using IPX 802.2 – no change
Tried purge /all to clear any blocks in use
Xeon patch TID 2964851 for Nware 5.1 will not install on NW 5.0!
PIII issue TID 2958591 – not clear if it will run on NW 5.0 Sp6a (not sure if Xeon is PIII or PIV?? – Intel diag software does not differentiate between them
Loads of free space and free directory entries
Cache buffers at 71%

Latest trial (still on going – 27 March 2003)
Running without the Tekram scsi controller (cant back up but don’t care)
Moved LAN connector to 10/100 switch NOT gigabit port (in case external fault)

Any one got any ideas? Running out of patience now. So is my customer.

Thanks

Nick Furnell

 

[TheLad]

Have you run DSREPAIR and are there any errors picked up?

I would also consider reseating both the processor(s) and the RAM to ensure that one of those components are not causing the issue -----------------------------------------------------
"It's true, its damn true!"
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[Lou0686]

Hi Nick,

Try tuning the server according to following TID:

http://support.novell.com/cgi-bin/search/searchtid.cgi?/10012765.htm

Lou

 

[networknick]

Thanks for the feedback. Just a quick update for everyone..

The server has stayed up and stable since Thursday mid-day. Only change was to move the fly lead to a different port in the switch and remove a scsi card that was controlling the DLT!! The fly lead was in a single gigabit module in a 10/100 switch now just in a standard 10/100 port. I believe that the scsi card went in back in on Friday. Too early to be sure but that looks like it was the cause - I am now very confused as to why that would cause Netware to fail. Is this one to make a note of in Novell knowledgebase??

To answer some of the suggestions...

Removing MPS14 - will add this to the list of changes next time! Thought this would be required for xeon (multiprocessor stuff)??

Post Sp6a patches - thanks for the info, didn't know any more updates had been released, shame they arnt more widely published. As of today I have not made any more software changes. Also read odd reports about the os5pt2a causing its own problems.

Hardware - extensively tested and checked (on and off site). I am confident that it isnt that cause, which is a real problem for me to get my head round as Netware OS does not just freeze! Hardware was my first and continuing focus.

Will keep you all informed

Thanks
Nick