Changing user (su) runs very slowly

[Martin Simonis]

I have a new A-class server (HP-UX 11.0).
All kernel parameters have been set to the same value as another A-class, which is running just fine.

As -root-, if I try to change to a different user (su - oracle), there is a delay of over 30 secs before the response.

Similarly, of course, if I try running a command in this way (su oracle "mkdir -p /apps_d/xxxx").

Once logged in as the other user, response is OK.

This applies similarly with other user ids.

I have tried dropping and recreating the users and their groups, and rebooting the machine. No improvement.

Even -sam- seems to be running significantly slower than on the other machine.

I would be grateful for any advice.

[Rui Soares]

Hi Martin,

If you do just:

# su oracle

Is it faster? It could be that one of your startup files (.cshrc or .login or .profile) is doing some lengthy commands.

Good Luck,

Rumagoso

[Bill McNAMARA_1]

type
sysdef

and compare.

Where are the users home dirs?
NFS mounted?

Later,
Bill

[harry d brown jr]

How are you resolving host names?

Compare the two A-class's /etc/resolv.conf, /etc/hosts, and /etc/nsswitch.conf.

live free or die
harry

[Ceesjan van Hattum]

I sounds indeed as if some name-resolving problems are troubling you.

If you disable DNS services, harry j brown jr also suggests, do you have the same problems?

Also referring to:
http://aa11.cjb.net/hpux_admin/2001/03/0411.html

[Martin Simonis]

I think Harry may be closest.

It is true that /etc/resolv.conf has been changed and performance was OK prior to the change (I did not associate the two things).

But resolv.conf is now exacly the same as on the working machine
domain .....
nameserver ....

(Previously, the 'domain' line was absent - performance was OK, but we could not communicate with the machine from remote machines).

Interestingly, nsswitch.conf exists on the working server, but not on the slow one. Could this be a clue ??

[Martin Simonis]

I removed the entry under DNS Resolver (using sam) and bounced the system.

Sadly, the problem still exists.

[pap]

Hi ,
Simply do following things on your new slower machine.

1. copy /etc/resolv.conf from other A class server which is running fine.

2. copy /etc/nsswitch.conf from other A class server to new machine.
3. check the security level in both the systems like trusted system etc.
4. If you are running NFS directories mounted for users then the above things matters.

Thanks,
-Piyush