UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Been running the customers system A-OK with a 100MBit switch a new cabling for a while.
Changed the replacement (slow-boat) 100MBit switch to another 100Mbit switch with an uplink to a gig-switch(24 - port - 100Mb, 7 - port - gig)
Worked fine for 24 hours - then problems started again.
Another server freeze. Last entry in the log:
2002-05-16 10:13:54 CEST Started child "/usr/sbin/slpd" as pid 432.
2002-05-16 10:13:54 CEST Started child "/usr/sbin/sambadmind" as pid 433.
2002-05-16 10:13:54 CEST Started child "/usr/sbin/PrintServiceMonitor" as pid 434.
2002-05-16 10:13:54 CEST Started child "/usr/sbin/serveradmind" as pid 435.
2002-05-16 10:13:54 CEST Automatic reboot timer enabled.
2002-05-16 10:13:54 CEST Reaped child process 432 ("/usr/sbin/slpd"); quit with exit status 253.
2002-05-16 10:13:54 CEST Process "/usr/sbin/slpd" respawning too rapidly!

- after which the server frooze with no further warning...sigh :-(((((

After checking the System profiler - I discovered that The log starts like this:
--
Version of ASP that generated this report = 2.7
(note:this string only shows up in pre-final or debug versions)
--
..and then further down in the list - most of what has to do with networking is designated 'Dev' for developer - and the rest as 'GM' - possible Golden Master.

The problem is that it is the third server on the same site and the third OSX server sw. pack. So the problem can only stem from Apples Software Updater..

Get back with a comment from Apple - if they care to give one..

John Philip

Well, well.
First Apple (verbally) expressed concern for the matter - and claimed to have analyzed the logs to show 2 (two) problems:
1) A networking protocol problem
and
2) A problem with the file system.
--
After careful consideration, Apple has returned (in writing):
Basically the error is a NetInfo failure. That happens when NI hang
which is when the filesystem does.
They suggest that try it without both scsi cards and using ATA drive...
There have been a lot of complaints about SCSI hanging and a t one point
Adaptec stated the 39160 and 29160 were not compatible with MacOS X...
Since then they released newer drivers than the ones we included with OS
X server. So maybe worth a try to update them...
--
So - Apple has no part in the problem!
However, the reply raises a few other questions:
1) The server acted the same way, when the filesystem was on the internal disk for a period.
2) If the Adaptec drivers incl. in OSX at one point was 'denounced' by Adaptec, why has Apple not released som sort of technote to this effect?
3) '..maybe worth an update...' is just about as uncommitted an answer as possible.
4) Why should it take local Apple Support, European Apple Support and finally some bigbrain in Cupertino so long to figure it out, if the Adaptec problem has been known to all of them for a while?

Probably the filesystem will feel better by an upgrade - but there's no definite indication that this will remedy the problem

PS.: OSX server version 10.1.3 worked a lot better with only one breakdown a week as opposed to the versions on either side of this - that has resulted in breakdowns 3-4 times a day (on a good day) - which is also a bit worrying. Does the Adaptec drives act less faulty on 10.1.3 ? I wonder...

John Philip

sigh, sigh - and shame on Apple

John Philip

I work as a consultant for a company that has several educations, and their main fileserver runs MacOSX server. Since i started there (Fall 2001) I have restarted that MacOSX server once. So for me, there has been no problem at all. But still I feel that Apple needs to seriosly educate their support. Many of them doesn't know anything about Apple's products.

Would you mind spending a few minutes giving me:

The OS version?
What kinda network (Copper, 100Mbit, Giga ?)
If you have one Network-unit supplier (Cisco, Allied ?) Could you give me their name ?
Thanx in advance

John Philip

I feel I owe 'The Forum' an update:
My customer lives with the 1-3 times a day server breakdowns.
As he is an optimistic fellow, he has decided to exchange his present OS X Server with an Apple X-serve.
This product will arrive here (probably) end this week.
We will do as much 'laboratory testing' as possible here - and then proceed to set it up at his location - probably end this month.
Hopefully the X-serve will behave itself...
Anyway, we will configure and set it up only with Apple equipment and according to Apple's spec's - so if a/several problems should arise, there will only be one supplier to discuss it with - but hopefully not.

As an addendum to the story: The first G4 set up as OSX server and having all the problems, I have described so far, was taken 'home' by my company.
We then had our Autorized Apple Repair facilities to check the hardware out - without finding anything wrong.
We sold it to a 'consultant' that reformatted it totally, stuck in a new Adaptec board and a fresh set of disks - updated everything - and lo and behold - he has just reported back that the server mysteriously goes down 5-6 times a day...

Kind regards

John Philip
DK

Hi again,
Got the Xserve, got the OSX 10.2.1 update installed, got a SCSI card from Apple = everything works - and has been for about a week now.

Thanx to all for interest and help

John Philip