topic Re: Disks won't stop at shutdown in Operating System - Linux

Disks won't stop at shutdown

Tom Burton — Tue, 21 Dec 2004 03:01:42 GMT

I've just loaded Linux FC2 onto an old Proliant 1850R using a mirror array of 2x 9.1GB hot swap drives connected to the Smart array. When I shutdown everything succeeds until it reports that md0 has been set to read-only. After this the disk activity lights on both caddies go on even though the one under the power switch is off. The drives appear to remain active continuously and the machine won't power down or restart. I end up having to use the power switch and am concerned about interupting the disks whilst work is in progress. Is this normal, I've ensured that the Smart and System firmware are both up to date?

Many thanks in advance,
Tom

Re: Disks won't stop at shutdown

Tom Burton — Tue, 21 Dec 2004 03:17:09 GMT

I've just taken a closer look/listen and the disks are definitely working. The array diagnostics report no errors. What are the disks doing and how can I stop it?

Cheers,
Tom.

Re: Disks won't stop at shutdown

Ivajlo Yanakiev — Tue, 21 Dec 2004 05:59:16 GMT

Did you config APM both linux driver nad BIOS ?

Re: Disks won't stop at shutdown

Tom Burton — Tue, 21 Dec 2004 06:04:37 GMT

Linux reports failure with APM. The System Config app on the 1850R doesn't seem to give me any APM or ACPI options to modify. Am I looking in the wrong area?

Cheers, Tom

Re: Disks won't stop at shutdown

Ivajlo Yanakiev — Tue, 21 Dec 2004 07:08:21 GMT

Tell me first if you use CTL+ALt+DEL what happen ?

Re: Disks won't stop at shutdown

Tom Burton — Tue, 21 Dec 2004 07:18:13 GMT

I'm controlling it remotely using PuTTY over a SSH connection so I haven't tried Ctrl-Alt-Del. I have tried 'shutdown -h now' and 'shutdown -r now' both of which leave it in a state of unidentified disk activity.
I've decided to leave it soaking for the moment and see whether any of the Smart-2DH features are at work checking drive/RAID integrity. The confusing one is why would the drives indicate activity if the server lights don't? Also, how can ACPI/APM be configured using the Compaq System Config application and is this the only method of getting into the BIOS?
Its possible that it will eventually work itself out but having left it for 4.5 hours with no joy my next option will be to leave it semi-shutdown over the Christmas break and see whether five days is enough time!

Cheers, Tom.

Re: Disks won't stop at shutdown

Ivajlo Yanakiev — Tue, 21 Dec 2004 08:03:06 GMT

I think that ATX power must switch box off .

Re: Disks won't stop at shutdown

Tom Burton — Tue, 21 Dec 2004 09:05:39 GMT

What do you mean by ATX Power? Do I need to configure this within System Configuration or within Linux?

Many thanks, Tom

Re: Disks won't stop at shutdown

Ivajlo Yanakiev — Wed, 22 Dec 2004 03:20:09 GMT

I find that Fedora 2 have problem with power off. This is your problem.
But I can find why.

ATX- power supplay have feature that give you "software" way to switch your PC off.

http://www.fedoraforum.org/forum/archive/index.php/t-18278.html

http://www.fedoraforum.org/forum/showthread.php?t=25716

http://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-list/2004-May/msg06163.html

Re: Disks won't stop at shutdown

Ivajlo Yanakiev — Wed, 22 Dec 2004 03:21:24 GMT

Stop all power save and APM feature.

Re: Disks won't stop at shutdown

Tom Burton — Wed, 22 Dec 2004 04:53:43 GMT

Thank you for all your help Ivajlo, it is appreciated. I can't help but feel that the problem is more than the power supplies not receiving the signal to switch off. When Linux completes its shutdown the drives spend a few minutes indicating online but inactive before the active lights come on. They then continuously chug away. I've had a look at the underside of the Smart-2DH array card and an LED there is flashing on and off (does anyone know what these LEDs signify). I have real concerns that it can't be good to power cycle the machine whilst the drives are active and feel that the power isn't being brought down because the array controller is indicating that it is still busy.
Yours, Tom.

Re: Disks won't stop at shutdown

Ivajlo Yanakiev — Wed, 22 Dec 2004 07:48:50 GMT

Yes you are right. But normaly after timeout all FS and process must kill and your server will down any way :)

Last :)

Try to start server from Knoppix live CD and and try shutdown.
If problem persist :) it is hardware based !