NFS and Files

[Marco Santerre]

Hello gurus,

I have a quick question though I can't find the answer (or not trying the right keywords in my search).

Under HP-UX 11.11 and Service Guard (with SAP extension), I have a file system which is automounted NFS across all systems (including the one which holds the local filesystem). I have a job that creates a file as a first step. The second step is to use that file in SAP. Problem is, even though the first step ends normally, it seems like there is no data in the file when the second step kicks in. When the customers actually included a pause in between both steps, the file finally gets the data it is supposed to have.

I get a feeling that it could be a NFS issue, or a size issue, but I'd like to go with the NFS issue first. Any pointers?

Thanks

[Ross Zubritski]

NFS is "icky". Why don't you try CIFS. Must more reliable as it is connection based.

Regards,

RZ

[Pete Randall]

I'm not sure about Ross's technical terminology but I would have to agree that relying on NFS is not always a good idea. We use it and are constantly having issues with "invisible files". I think you're lucky to at least see the file, even if it is empty.


Pete

[Ross Zubritski]

icky = aka NFG ;)

RZ

[Marco Santerre]

Yeah I understand what you are both saying, unfortunately, what I'm saying is I have to fix a problem that is probably something I cannot fix because it is something to do with "not-so" reliable NFS, and moreover, something I cannot fix other then by making important changes to the way customers do their thing.

But from what I can see, Pete, is that empty (or invisible) files for a duration of a minute or so, are not so uncommon in the NFS world, right?

[Robert-Jan Goossens_1]

Hi Marco,

Before you create the file in your script could you preform a cd /filesystem and then the creation of your file.

Robert-Jan.

[Pete Randall · Accepted solution]

That's been my experience with it, Marco. I keep telling my programmers to avoid using it, but they keep thinking up reasons why they have to and they come whining to me when it doesn't work. I've applied patches and more patches and, as far as I'm concerned, it's still unreliable.


Pete

[Steven E. Protter]

I have to use NFS for Ignite

I use CIFS by choice for everything else.

My vote is if you can do it with CIFS, do it with CIFS.


CIFS/9000

http://www.software.hp.com/cgi-bin/swdepot_parser.cgi/cgi/displayProductInfo.pl?productNumber=B8725AA

Client
http://www.software.hp.com/cgi-bin/swdepot_parser.cgi/cgi/displayProductInfo.pl?productNumber=B8724AA

Documentation:
http://www.docs.hp.com/hpux/onlinedocs/B8725-90003/B8725-90003.html

Oh, nobody called an election. Sorry.

SEP

[V. Nyga]

Hi,

for me it sounds like a timing problem.
'When the customers actually included a pause in between both steps, the file finally gets the data...'.
So maybe the file is used before the informations are completed?
What do you have against a pause between both steps?

Volkmar

[Marco Santerre]

Volkmar,

Personnally, I don't have any objections to putting a pause, but usually putting a pause in between steps is considered to be a flaw somewhere.

I also thought of the timing issue thinking that depending how big the file is when it issues its close, it may take a while to actually happen therefore delaying the showing of the data in the file before the next step actually start.

[Marco Santerre]

All the help was appreciated